Broad Street Goddesses Page 16

  “Impressive, Jake” Jed took the file, “I have the consensus that it is the wishes of this community to preserve this mansion from demolition.” Looking smug, he waved the file over his head. “So, my dear Ms. Hamilton, with the power vested in me, by my office and the county I gift you with your mansion at 113 Pine Street. The city will have a cashier’s check in the mail to you for your parcel number 34, lot number 433 in the amount of one hundred four thousand dollars. You now have sixty days to show the city a plan on how your mansion will be moved and to what location. This meeting is adjourned.” His gavel came down. A stunned moment of silence was followed by loud, righteous indignation. Paige sat anesthetized, trying to let it all register in her head. Move the mansion.

  “That pompous ass…” Mim hissed out as a matter of fact. She flew furious towards the stage to have a word with Jed. By the time she navigated through all the people, he was gone.

  “Assassination is the only way,” Della said holding the pink goddess drink of choice.

  Paige sat fuming in the darkest corner of the booth. “How the hell do you move a four story Victorian mansion?” Her finger tapped at the water pooling around her cocktail, “I mean, I know it can be done… but come on.”

  “Don’t be silly Paige, that mansion is not going to be moved. It’s going to be open for business next summer,” Della said softly reaching across to pat Paige’s hand, “And in its current location.”

  There was a commotion outside as robin egg blue Bentley flew into the parking space in front of O’Doul’s, curb feelers grating the sidewalk. The car appeared to be unmanned as it screeched metal on metal smacking into the parking meter. Upon closer inspection Paige caught a glimpse of wispy white hair bobbing from the driver seat. The door swung open and one shapely ankle appeared, then another. Betty, fit to be tied and walking with resounding purpose across on the wooden floor, grabbed the cocktail Hardy handed her, “Thanks, Doll, You know I hate to wait.” She winked at Hardy. He blushed and busied himself wiping down the bar top.

  “The streets around here are tighter than a cat’s ass in a dog kennel.” Betty announced to the group beginning to assemble around Paige.

  “I thought you retired that car years ago.” Della inquired.

  “Well, lock your children up, I’m on the prowl. I like the freedom of driving. Besides, I think they’ve painted over all the places I’ve run into… time to spread my signature color around again. ”

  In a whirl of indigo tie dye Mim walked in with arms raised to heaven, “That son of a biscuit eatin’ rat bastard.” Hardy met her half way with the pink cocktail. Mim softened to kiss Hardy’s cheek; “Keep ‘em comin’ Darlin’.” Hardy smiled and held up a pitcher of pink liquid which he brought to the women. Mim turned her attention toward the table, “He simply cannot continue to be this cantankerous.”

  “Alright now,” wiggling down into her seat, Betty slung her eyes low and dramatic, “Here’s what’s going to bury that old monkey in a suit… and save your house Paige.”

  Eyes and ears turned to Betty. She looked confused suddenly and sat back softly in her seat, “Was I going to say something?”

  “Yes, you were going to tell us how to save the house... said you have the secret.” Paige felt a wash of déjà vu to the diner that afternoon.

  “What secret?” Betty said suddenly full of life, “I love secrets.” She leaned forward and put her hands folded on top of the table, eyes bright with anticipation.

  Silent looks raced across the table as it dawned on the women that Betty was having memory lapses.

  “Are you feeling ok Betty?” Mim’s asked.

  “Of course, I’m fine.”

  “I’m not sure a cocktail is a good idea for you.” Etta spoke up, “I think I should drive you home. And I can walk back from there.”

  “Drive me?” Betty looked confused.

  “Yes I’ll drive your car to your house and walk home from there. It’s only a couple of blocks.”

  “Hogwash Etta, my car is in the garage.”

  “Oh Betty,” Mim said softly, “your car is right out front, you drove it here.”

  “That’s just silly! Jake took my keys months ago.” Betty turned in slow motion to see her car parked at the curb.

  “Maybe that would be best, Etta.”

  CHAPTER 19

  Pale shadows under Etta’s eyes told Paige that a surprise baby, an old love returned, and now the uncertainty of it all had become a terrible strain on her friend. She poured coffee as Etta softly stated what she had been enduring, “Will just loves that baby. The sun rises on his head every morning.” Etta wiped a tiny tear.

  “That’s got to be hard on you Etta. He’s just come home and now you not only have to share him with Jon Jon, you’ve got to share him with everyone else who wants to be part of Jon’s life.”

  “Oh Paige, thanks for saying that, I’ve been feeling like a wretch. I come home to lick my wounds, but I feel so guilty having those thoughts. I haven’t had a night with Will since Jon came home. It’s starting to sting. I know there is a lot at stake, I know there are more emotions than I can’t possibly imagine from Mim, Will and the baby. My life changed so drastically when Jon Jon arrived.”

  “I know it’s got to be hard. How is Mim holding up?”

  “Even with all of the love she’s got for him, the practice of feng shui for baby happiness and Tia chi for toddlers… she’s wrecked. ” Etta thought of her beloved family being torn by losing the baby to his grandfather and the tears started to pour, “Paige, he’s Jon’s grandfather. He’s lost his daughter… I cannot imagine what kind of a father would not know what’s going on in his daughter’s life until she’s dead.”

  “Sounds like you all need a good break, you’re worn slick.” Paige became inspired, “You bring Jon to me. I’ll keep him for the weekend. That way everyone gets a rest, recoup and reconnect with one another and I get to do something truly useful to get my mind off of this House.”

  “Paige, you don’t know the first thing about babies. You don’t even like them.”

  “Well, this one is different and he’s dear to my heart. Talk it over with Will and let me know. I’ll start baby proofing.”

  “It’s a lot more than you can imagine. Bless your heart. I would adore waking up with Will in the morning and spending the day in bed.”

  “I’ll be waiting on Friday afternoon for the little munchkin.”

  ~

  It was five thirty in the morning and Jon was banging on his high chair laughing. “Paige doesn’t even like children,” Mim said in a huff. Her hair was flat on one side and crinkled out in all directions on the other. Her eyes were puffy from lack of sleep. She blinked hard, then squinted to focus and aimed a handful of dry Cheerios to the high chair tray.

  “Mom, Paige adores Jon Jon. He’s not just any child. She wants to help out and I think it’s a great idea. You’re not used to this and I owe it to Etta to spend a weekend with her.”

  “I am totally capable, William, of tending my own grandson,” Mim pulled her robe snuggly around her middle and leveled off a stance of defiance at her son.

  “Yes, completely capable Mom, but you need a rest too. We’ve all got to take care of ourselves if we’re going to care for Jon. I think it’s a great idea. I know you’ve been dying to go with Della to the farmer’s market and to make a dinner for the girls…” Will sent a knowing grin to her, “You do not have to be wonder-granny.”

  “Dinner for the girls?” Mim’s shoulders slumped with a huge sigh, “I would love to stay in bed until nine and have coffee and read my paper. Light some candles in the evening and have a glass of wine. That’s what I’ve been missing.”

  “Exactly,” Will nodded.

  “Oh God, Will, we’re horrible. We shouldn’t look forward to sending Jon Jon away, we should relish every minute that precious child is with us.” She placed her hand on top of jon’s head.

  “Jon is going to spend the weekend with his Auntie Paige.” Will s
aid with a hand on his mother’s shoulder, “That’s the final answer. We’re all just one phone call and five minutes away. This is a good thing.”

  ~

  Six bags of paraphernalia sat on the kitchen table; safety plugs for all the outlets downstairs, two extra large baby gates, tippy cups, baby bath, baby lotion, powder and a lullaby CD. As an extra reassurance, the woman at the store recommended the barnyard buddies DVD, saying it was the sure fire way to settle down a toddler. Paige started putting cans of chicken and stars soup away, crackers, cheerios and animal cookies now lined the normally empty shelves of her pantry. She placed the milk, juice and fruits into the fridge thinking that it was strangely comforting to have food in the house. It was a luxury she hadn’t splurged on since she arrived. There were take out boxes, quick salads and diet sodas, but that was it. She checked the clock and realized she had about twenty minutes before baby Jon arrived for his big weekend with Auntie Paige.

  Pulling up her lavender sweat pants and zipping up the jacket with pockets, Paige imagined that she was prepared. She smiled in anticipation of her pint sized house guest.

  She opened the door to Will with baby in one arm and a dozen white and yellow roses in the other. Etta was following up the stairs with bags and carriers full of baby things. Jon smiled his three-toothed grin at her and reached for his Auntie. Paige was in love with the wiggling, soft, sweet smelling bundle filling her arms. She couldn’t resist the urge to press her lips against his head and inhale the baby scent which filled her up. Something lurched in her gut; a yearning deep and wild and totally unexpected. She looked tenderly at Jon. He whacked her in the face with his stuffed bunny which stung her eyeball to tears. “Thanks, I needed that.” Paige whispered to the baby, relieved.

  When Paige turned around she assessed the bags and carriers littering her porch and then saw Will and Etta bringing more, “Does a pack mule come optional with these guys? Good grief, he’s just one little baby. How in the world am I going to need all of this stuff? I bought everything we need.”

  “Have one of these?” Etta held up a pacifier with “mute” printed on the stub. “How about one of these?” she pointed to the box with a humidifier in it. “Or one of these?” a pale and ratty blue blanket with failing satin trim was held up.

  “Um, nope, But I have blankets”.

  “Not this blanket…” Etta eyed her suspiciously, “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Paige had to smile.

  “Of course I’m ready. We’re going to have a grand time, aren’t we Jon Jon!” She was bouncing the baby on her hip trying to look like she’d done it before. She felt her back tweak oddly, Jon was really heavy!

  “Okay,” Will huffed as he brought the final bags into the house, “Bed time is roughly eight, he’ll usually go to sleep on his own, just put him down in the pack and play and shut the door. He’s an early riser, so I’d go to bed before ten or you’ll be dragging your buns in the morning. There’s food and juice and snacks in his bag.” Will looked nervously at Etta and said, “Well, this is it then.” Etta’s hand slipped into his and they edged toward the door.

  “We’re going to Tahoe for the night. Are you sure you’ll be okay? We can stay at my house if you’re not sure, Paige.” Etta offered.

  “Nope, I’m completely sure. Your Mom is five minutes away if I have any trouble. Go and stay in bed for a couple of days, you guys need it.”

  Etta and Will smiled shyly at Paige and then kissed the baby’s head goodbye. Paige and Jon waved bye bye at the door until Will and Etta pulled away from the curb.

  “Well, Sweet Pea, it’s just you and me. What shall we do first?” Jon’s eyes were already darting around the room at his new surroundings. “Knock yourself out kiddo, I’m going to go over some book work and you can play here with your busy bee.”

  Paige handed Jon the stuffed bee with all the activities on its belly. Jon threw the bee.

  Immediately toddling around the floor at lightning speed he found a huge glass ball that Etta had gifted her with. A witches ball with strands of glass all though the middle; fragile and very dangerous. She jumped up and took the ball from Jon, which started a round of wailing. No matter what she did, Jon would not stop crying. She patted him and cooed into his hair. She tried handing him some animal cookies which he threw to the ground with furious eyes. Screaming baby noise seared through her body and erased her brain. Jon worked up a cry so hard that he had snot ropes slung from his nose into his mouth. Paige gagged as she wiped his reddened face and then she held him close.

  They rocked together, Jon gasping for air between bellows and then snubbing down until Paige thought he might be sleeping. As soon as she moved, he started crying again. She checked everything in a panic. He wasn’t wet, wasn’t hungry, he must certainly be tired after thirty minutes of non stop crying. She checked the clock and realized Jon had only been there ten minutes. Why did crying time seem so much longer than real time? She took in a slow deep breath remembering some of the tricks Etta had shared with her, let her core relax, then sat back in the big fluffy chair with Jon’s head between her breasts.

  Before she had a clue as to what was happening she let go too. Weeks of tension and anxiety poured out in quiet sobs until Paige’s shoulders shook. Jon sat bolt up and studied her tear stained cheeks, putting a chubby hand on the side of her face. Grabbing her by the ears and digging his baby Nike’s into her thighs, Jon stood up and threw his head against her shoulder. He gently patted the side of her face. Jon snubbed his sobs into her neck and his body melted back down to her cleavage as he drifted off to sleep. Paige felt her tears fall silently on to his head. She put her arms around the baby and slipped into sweet sleep.

  Jon woke up in much better humor and was full of energy. Paige knew she needed to be alert fast as he crawled off of her lap. She watched his gaze go straight to the witches’ ball and he frowned, “No No No!” he shook his finger and looked at Paige with a grin.

  She looked at the clock and decided it was close to dinner time. Hand in hand they went to the kitchen. Paige sat him in the high chair and gave him a few cheerios while she heated the soup. Jon played happily and Paige breathed a sigh of relief. Crying wasn’t her specialty. Chicken and stars swirled in a pan and Paige couldn’t remember the last time she had the soup. The phone rang and she balanced it between her shoulder and ear as she poured the soup into a shallow bowl to cool.

  “Hi Paige, is everything ok?” It was Will on the other end of the phone.

  “Of course it is.” Paige smiled at the cherub sitting in the high chair, “we’re getting ready to have soup and crackers and then we’re going to settle in for some serious television together.”

  “Etta had a feeling and I’m just checking in…we’re only an hour away if you need us.” Paige heard the relief in his voice.

  “Jon and I are perfectly happy here… alone.” Paige said proudly, “Now, go have a great time with your lady.”

  “Thanks again Paige.”

  She turned to check on Jon and he was mysteriously gone from the high chair. Shit!

  “Jon….” Paige called out. She ran from the kitchen to the dining room, no baby. Her heart was beating rapidly as she saw the baby gate at the bottom of the stairs lying on the floor, looking like Godzilla had stomped through it. Paige panicked up the stairs, calling for Jon. There were so many places he could be hurt. She couldn’t find him.

  She grabbed the door jamb to brace herself. She closed her eyes to listen for any detectible noise. Thump, thump thump. He was banging on something, it sounded close.

  “Jon,” she called out. Thump, thump thump it sounded like a giant running through the house. Sweet Jesus, what was it? Frantic, Paige went from room to room. Jon was nowhere.

  She still had the phone in her hand and was dialing the police, when she heard the front door. Thump thump thump the noise was louder.

  “Oh noooooo!” she cried heading down the stairs two and three at a time.

  Jake was standing in her doorway
with Jon on his shoulders, “Is everything ok? This little guy was heading to the bar.” He bounced Jon, who giggled, “You look like you’ve been through the wringer.”

  Paige sat on the bottom step with a thud staring directly at the two of them. “He was in his high chair.” Paige put her hand on her chest to catch her breath, “thirty seconds I looked away and he’s gone.” Her head fell down between her knees.

  “Pulled the old Hudini on her did ya’ buddy?” Jake looked at Jon as though they were co-conspirators, “That wasn’t very nice”. Jon frowned into Jakes face and shook his head. “Why don’t you go give Auntie Paige a big hug?” He walked the baby to Paige and Jon fell into her arms. For the second time that day Paige cried with a baby in her arms.

  “Thank you,” she looked at Jake over the top of Jon’s head, “I don’t know what happened. Etta had a ‘feeling’, Will called to be sure everything was ok and then he was GONE!” She felt like an overcooked noodle.

  “Being an Auntie isn’t all you thought it might be? God Paige, I can see your heart beating in your neck! Are you ok?”

  Paige realized what that the thumping in the house had been her heart beating wildly in her ears. Shaking her head in wonder at how a twenty two pound package can consume you, she sat helpless as Jake clicked the dead bolt locked. “I’ll check the other doors and then let myself out the kitchen…” Jake said quietly.

  Paige thought fast, “We’re about to have soup if you want to stay.”

  “The world traveler must have worked up a powerful appetite.” Jake looked at Jon, “I don’t want to intrude.”

  “I would,” Paige stumbled and cursed herself, “I’m happy to have another baby wrangler around.” She was relieved to say, “I want you to stay.”

  Jake looked around the foyer and then into the library where the baby station had been set up. He took it all in, “Looks like you’re doing a great job!”

  Paige assessed the room. Brightly colored blocks were all over the floor, books, discarded, Busy Bee, cookies and the pale blue blanket with the torn trim were strewn with reckless abandon.