A waiter approaches our table, the handsome older man eyeing Viola up and down as if impressed. “Hello. My name is Todd. I’ll be taking care of you lovely ladies this evening. I see you already have a cocktail.” He nods at me before turning toward my mom. “Whatcan I get for you?”
Her attention is immediately diverted as she coyly looks up at him, her red lips curling at the corners. “Hmmm. How about a mocktail? Something sweet and delicious, but with no alcohol, please.”
Todd understands. “Coming right up.”
I can’t help but stare during the exchange. I know my mom is in there somewhere behind all the makeup and the outfit. I really have no idea what to say.
“Now, tell me everything and anything you’ve been up to since I last saw you,” she gushes.
I give her a one-word answer. “Work.”
“Fiddle-de-dee, my dear. All work and no play isn’t good for my gorgeous firstborn daughter.”
“Well, that’s what I’ve been up to.” I take a hefty sip of my cocktail. “Why don’t you tell me what you’ve been doing? You’re obviously happy being on tour, right?”
My mom dramatically spreads her arms across the back edge of the booth and smiles. “Life is grand. The show is a huge success, and the travel has been divine. I love being the Hair Supervisor on tour. It’s the most fun I’ve had in ages.”
I lick my lips. “I’m happy for you, Mom. Really.”
“I am happy. I’ve finally found something I’m good at. Something that brings me joy.”
“Wigs bring you joy, Mom?” I cock an eyebrow and give her the side-eye.
She sighs and looks right at me as if disappointed in my unintentional dig.
“I’m sorry,” I chuckle. “I haven’t seen you in a while, and when you walked through the door, I didn’t recognize you. You’ve completely changed.”
“And you haven’t changed one bit, have you? Being a workaholic has definitely taken a toll, I can tell. Where is your sense of adventure, huh? Being on a Broadway tour has changed my life. I took a chance, and I’m glad I did. You should do the same. Do something fun and frivolous with your life. It worked for me.”
Todd drops off her mocktail. The pink drink comes in a hurricane glass topped with a pretty flower.
“Mmmm. Thank you, Todd. This looks delicious.”
“I’ll be back in a few to take your order.”
“Thank you,” I reply.
“Oh, honey. You’ve got to try this. It’s so good.” She smacks her red lips together and slides the drink across the table toward me.
“No, thank you. I’m good with mine.”
“Suit yourself.”
I take a good look at my mom.
It’s not just her hair color and the clothes that are different. Her entire attitude has changed. Maybe she’s finally free from her demons? It’s obvious she’s enjoying her new path in life. But there’s something else… something I can’t quite put my finger on.
“You really look amazing, Mom. I’m happy you’re happy.”
“Good.” She grins. “Because I have some big news for you. I wanted to tell you when you called and said you were here in Chicago. But I thought it’d be better if I told you in person.”
My stomach drops to my feet. This could either be really good news or something bad. For example, Beverly and I had to fork out thousands of dollars when she was almost evicted from her first apartment. Or when she told us she was joining a team of traveling carnival workers moving from town to town with a fair, thrilled to be the carousel operator.
“What big news, Mom?” I ask.
My mother takes another sip of her drink before dropping the bomb in the middle of the table. The caricature paintings of Bob Hope and Liza Minelli mounted on the wall appear to look on with interest.
“I’m getting married!”
