“Worse than broke. She’s underwater on her bills. Mazy says the salon might not even have water and electricity by next month. Not that it should matter since they’ve lost so many clients. They can’t make enough to keep the doors open.”
“And Kitty’s missed work for over a week now. That can’t help.” Riva sighed as she imagined being stuck with Kitty indefinitely. “You say you want to help her. May I ask how?”
“I’d like to talk to her. I know it’s a long shot, but I’ve wondered about us getting back together. I inherited a place out of town. My parents’ old farm. It’s a little rundown, but it’s quiet and peaceful. I think she could be happy there. It’s a good place to get sober. That is, if she’s willing to stop drinking. That’s my one condition.”
“That sounds like a good condition. I do think Kitty could have a drinking problem.”
“Yeah, Mazy said the same thing. Kitty was drinking at work and after work and just getting out of control.”
Riva nodded.
Danny looked up at her. “So if you could help me, I’d really appreciate it.”
“Help youhow?”
“Just talk to her, tell her I was here, ask her to see me.”
Riva stood. “Okay. I guess I can do that. But don’t expect a miracle. Kitty is a pretty stubborn woman.”
Danny smiled. “You’re not telling me anything I don’t know.” He put his cap on and stood. “I might be crazy, but I still love her.”
They exchanged phone numbers and Riva promised to let him know how it turned out before heading back inside. She picked up the breakfast tray, then remembered Kitty’s bad attitude about the lousy food and service here. She set it back down. It was high time to give Kitty a serious wake-up call.
As Riva knocked on Kitty’s door, she silently prayed, asking for help with what would be a dicey conversation. When Kitty answered, Riva braced herself and went into the room in time to see Kitty scrambling back into bed.
“Looks like you were up,” Riva said. “Good for you.”
“Had to put the shade down. Too much sun in my eyes,” Kitty grumbled.
“Right.” Riva sat on the chair by the bed and explained about their unexpected visitor and some of their conversation. “He wants to help you.”
“Sure, he wants to help me. Right into the poorhouse, he wants to help me.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Just the fact that he’s stopped my alimony.”
“Because you remarried?” Riva waited.
“Yeah, that’s true. But after the divorce, well, Danny kinda stepped up again. I guess he was worried about me. Or maybe he thought we’d get back together. I don’t know. But that all came to an end a few months ago.” Kitty’s eyes grew moist. “I need that money, Riva.”
Riva just nodded. “I’m sure you do.”
“My bills are piling up.” Kitty reached for a Kleenex and dabbed her eyes. “I might even lose my salon.”
“Danny mentioned that too.”
“How doesheknow?” Kitty growled.
Riva shrugged. “I don’t know. All I know is he wants to help you.”
Kitty rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right. Danny hates me. He’s been stalking me. I know he wants to ruin me. He’s told me enough times. He’d love nothing more than to see me go down.”
“You told me he was dangerous when you moved in here, but he seemed genuinely nice to me. And sober.”
“It’s all an act, Riva. I can’t believe you fell for it. But you’re so gullible, you probably have the deed to the Golden Gate Bridge tucked away somewhere.” She laughed grimly.
Riva decided to ramp up this conversation. “Well, I suppose I was gullible to believeyou, Kitty. To trust you and allow you to have a room in my home.”
