“They’re trying to lull us into complacency.” Quintessa lifted her chin high. “But no, not us. We will not be lulled. We will be vigilant.”
“You’re wasting your talents at Filene’s.” Mary took another bite.
“Not at all. I love my job. For a whole year, I get to explore every department as a salesgirl so I understand how a store is run. After that, I can put my business degree to work in management. I do hope they like me.”
Mary gave her a fond smile. “How could they not?” Not only was Quintessa smart and charming, but she had a way of making everyone feel special. “Everyone likes you.”
“I hope Jim does.” Quintessa’s smile turned dreamy. “Every time I look at his service portrait or reread one of your letters about him, I fall a little more in love.”
The bit of beef turned to stone in Mary’s throat, and her eyes watered. If only she could enjoy Quintessa’s company without hearing Jim’s name.
Quintessa frowned at Mary. “The other day, I had a horrible thought. You and Jim have been such good buddies recently. I hope you don’t think I’m stealing your friend.”
Mary sipped her coffee to clear her throat. “No. No, of course not.”
“Because I won’t. We can double-date. You said his best friend is single, right? And you know I’m not one of those jealous sorts who won’t let her boyfriend talk to another girl.”
“I know.” Mary grabbed her plate and headed for the sink. Not only did she need to hide her face, but she couldn’t eat another bite.
“You talk as if it is fait accompli,” Yvette said.
Quintessa’s laugh bubbled up. “I do, don’t I? I don’t mean to sound arrogant. I don’t, but Jim simply adored me in high school, and now I’m wise enough to appreciate him.”
Mary scraped her plate over the trash can, her vision blurry. In six months of friendship, Jim had never fawned over Mary as he had over Quintessa. He’d never shown any true interest in her. The moments she’d interpreted as romantic could easily be interpreted as friendly or chivalrous. She’d deluded herself.
And the kiss? The more she thought about it, the less romantic it seemed. If he’d wanted a kiss, he would have kissed her himself. Sure, he responded to her kiss, but he was a man. Any red-blooded male would respond to a kiss. For heaven’s sake, Arch had kissed a complete stranger.
The egg timer dinged.
“Oh, Mary!” Quintessa called. “Look at the time. You need to leave for choir.”
She blinked away the haze in her eyes and glanced at her watch. “Oh dear, I do. I hate to leave a mess.”
“But it’s Thursday,” Quintessa said. “My day to cook and clean. Don’t you worry about a thing. Go use your lovely voice and have fun.”
Mary worked up a smile, blew her friend a kiss, grabbed her coat, and left.
As she rode the El downtown, her thoughts descended underground with her. Mary drew her coat tight. Part of her wanted to tell Quintessa how she felt about Jim, to fight for the man she loved. Quintessa would back down, mortified that she’d interfered in Mary’s romance, and she’d wish Jim and Mary every happiness.
But a scene played like a movie in Mary’s mind. Jim returning from sea, mounting the stairs to her apartment with that grin, Mary throwing herself into his arms. Then, over Mary’s shoulder, Jim would see Quintessa, the woman he’d always loved. Something would pass between Jim and Quintessa, the spark of mutual attraction. But Jim would feel compelled to date Mary and would pass up his chance with Quintessa, his dream.
Mary turned to the window and rubbed away more tears. Confessing her love to Quintessa might be honest, but in a selfish, mean-spirited way. What could be crueler than coming between two people who longed for each other?
Quintessa was already falling for Jim, and she hadn’t even seen him yet—the brilliance of his smile and his mind, the depth of his voice and his heart. Once she did, she’d be lost in love.
Mary pressed her fist to her mouth. She owed her best friend so much. Quintessa could have chosen any girl in Vermilion to befriend, but she’d chosen Mary, the school outcast. Mary could still see her in the schoolyard in her pink drop-waist dress, her bobbed blonde curls shimmering in the sun, her fists planted on her hips, chastising the other girls for picking on her friend.
Quintessa saved Mary from a youth full of misery and isolation. If Mary loved her best friend, she’d want her to be happy. Only a little while ago, Mary had wished she could do something, anything to make Quintessa happy again, and now she had her opportunity.
And Jim? A sob gurgled in her throat, but she shoved it down. If she truly loved Jim, she’d want him to be happy. She’d want to help him fulfill his dream. She’d make any sacrifice for his sake.
How could she do otherwise?
Sandwiched between Bertha and Edith, Mary let the music comfort her. When Jim returned, the Lord would see her through. She was doing the right thing, she knew it, and the Lord would reward her with peace.
The final song finished, and Mary took her seat.
Mrs. Gunderson tapped the music stand with her baton. “As you know, the Christmas pageant is only two months from now, and it’s time to announce parts.”
