Patricia Kay - You've Got Game

Free to begin my new life.

Suddenly, the melancholy that had plagued her all day began to lift and Lorna smiled.

Everything really was going to be okay. She could feel it in her bones.

And who knew?

Maybe by this time next year, she would be well on her way to having the kind of life she’d dreamed of all along.

“Lorna, I love your house!” Claudia plopped onto Lorna’s sofa and stretched her long legs out in front of her.

Lorna glanced around with a smile. It was the Wednesday after her move-in, and she was in good shape, with almost everything unpacked and put away. “It is looking good, isn’t it? You know, at first I thought I would have a hard time getting used to having a much smaller place than I had at home, but I’m finding I like it. It’s cozy.”

Claudia grinned. “It is cozy. In fact, it’s adorable. And Buttercup seems to like her new surroundings, too.” She looked over at the cat, who was curled up on the hearth, even though it would be months before it might be cold enough to build a fire.

“Yes, she settled right in as if she’d lived here forever. Didn’t you, Buttercup?”

The cat never even turned her head.

Claudia laughed. “Don’t you love how cats totally ignore you unless they want something?”

Lorna smiled. “So what brings you here so early? I thought your last class wasn’t over until three.” The new semester at Bayou City College, where Claudia taught business and marketing courses, had just begun.

“I had a doctor’s appointment, so I rescheduled today’s classes.”

“Nothing’s wrong, I hope.”

Claudia grinned. “No, nothing’s wrong. Just the opposite, in fact.”

From her sister’s expression, Lorna had a pretty good idea of what was coming.

“I’m pregnant,” Claudia said, her smile filling her entire face.

“Oh, sweetie, that’s wonderful! I’m so happy for you!”

“And I want you to be our baby’s godmother,” Claudia bubbled on. “Well, actually, I thought we’d have two godmothers. You and John’s sister Jennifer.” She jumped up from the couch and hugged Lorna. “Oh, Lorna, I’m so happy! I never knew I could be so happy!”

Laughing and squealing, the sisters danced around the room together.

“Does John know yet?” Lorna asked when they’d finally settled down again.

“Of course. I called him right away. He’s totally thrilled.”

“He’ll make a wonderful father.”

“He will, won’t he?” Now Claudia’s smile turned tender.

Lorna wondered if Claudia had any idea how much she envied her. How much she wanted a baby, too. They hadn’t discussed the subject recently, because Lorna didn’t want her sister feeling sorry for her or feeling as if she had to censor everything she said in deference to Lorna’s sensibilities, so maybe she imagined Lorna had given up on the idea. “When are you due?”

“The doctor said about the middle of April.”

“Perfect. You’ll beat the summer heat.”

“I know. I couldn’t have planned it better if I’d tried.”

“So you weren’t trying?”

Claudia laughed. “You know what I mean.”

Lorna smiled affectionately. “Yes, I do. I was only teasing you.”

They talked baby plans for a while, then Claudia said, “Telling you about the baby isn’t the only reason I dropped by today.”

“Oh?”

“I wanted to invite you to go out with us Saturday night.”

“That’s sweet of you, but you and John will want to celebrate your good news by yourselves. I’d just be a fifth wheel.”

“No, you won’t. Anyway, we’ll be double-dating.”

Lorna made a face. “Oh, Claudia, not a blind date.”

“Don’t say it like that.”

“I can’t help it. I hate blind dates.”

“Jonah’s great. He’s a cameraman and works for John’s company. He’s a bit younger than you are, but he’s lots of fun and cute, and I think you’ll like him.”

Lorna grimaced. “Younger?”

“Not that much. Maybe a couple of years. Anyway, what’s the big deal?”

“I’m not good with younger guys.”

Claudia just rolled her eyes.

Actually, Lorna wasn’t good at dating, period. And she was especially bad at blind dates.

“Why are you always putting yourself down?”

“I’m not. I just…oh, you know. I never know what to say when I first meet a guy. I always feel like I’m boring them to death.” Like I bored Keith.

“Oh, Lorna, that’s ridiculous. You’re smart and beautiful and funny. Why would they be bored?”

“I might be smart, but I’m certainly not beautiful, and funny is still up for a vote.”

“See? There you go again. Putting yourself down.”

“Being honest isn’t putting myself down.”

“I swear, Keith did a real job on you, didn’t he?”

“Well, you’ve got to admit that finding out your husband prefers a silicone-breasted cheerleader barely out of high school and who can’t talk about anything more complicated than who’s dating who in Hollywood doesn’t do a lot to build your confidence.”

“Keith is an idiot.”

“I won’t argue with you there, but the fact remains he lost interest in me as soon as he realized he would have to work for my money.” Lorna wasn’t bitter. The truth was the truth. She’d misjudged Keith. She’d thought he really loved her, that her money wasn’t a factor in his courtship. She’d been wrong.

“Like I said, he’s an idiot,” Claudia said. “Anyway, back to Saturday night. We thought we’d go see a movie—maybe that new one with Drew Barrymore—it’s supposed to be hilarious, then go out for dinner. John and I discovered this really good Cajun place, and on Saturday nights they have a zydeco band.”

“Oh, Claudia, I don’t know….”

“Lorna, I’m not going to take no for an answer. You’re going, and that’s that. We’ve already told Jonah all about you, and he’s excited about meeting you.”

“If he’s so great, why does he need a blind date?”

Claudia shook her head in exasperation. “Honestly, Lorna, sometimes I just want to choke you.”

Lorna grinned.

“That’s better. Now say you’ll go.”

“Oh, okay, I’ll go.”

“Good. I’ll let you know what time after I talk to John. Now, tell me, have you visited the plant yet?”

“No, but I thought I’d pop in tomorrow just to say hello and meet the office staff.”

“You’re starting work on Monday?”

“Yes.”

Lorna had been going to take a couple of weeks off, then had decided one was enough. Besides, she was anxious to get started on her new job.

Claudia stood. Lorna couldn’t help studying her belly, exposed by her low-riding pants and cropped top. So far, she didn’t look any different than she’d always looked, which was fantastic. She grinned at the glint of silver. “How long are you going to wear that navel ring?”

Claudia laughed. “John likes it, but I plan to take it out when I start to show.” She slung her handbag over her shoulder. “Walk out with me?”

Lorna stood on the front stoop and waved goodbye until Claudia’s Jeep disappeared around the corner. Then she slowly walked back inside. Her shoulders sagged. She was happy for Claudia, thrilled for Claudia. But a part of her ached with the knowledge that even her baby sister had passed her by. That it was only she, Lorna, who had failed at marriage and was still childless.

Would motherhood ever happen for her? she wondered forlornly. Or was she forever doomed to be just an aunt or a godmother to her siblings’ children?

For the rest of the day, she fought against a rising melancholy. Finally, knowing the only way to stop the negative emotions was to lose herself in something she loved, she headed for the piano. It hadn’t been tuned since the move—something she had planned to take care of immediately—but today she didn’t care.

Minutes later, she was deep into the lilting waterfall of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto no. 1 in F-sharp Minor and the rest of the world fell away.

Nick was on the plant floor supervising the installation of a new bagging machine when his secretary paged him. Telling Jim Hennessey, his maintenance manager, he’d be right back, Nick walked out to the distribution center where it wasn’t as noisy.

“Yeah?” he said when he had Karen on the phone.

“Miss Hathaway’s here,” she said.

“What? What the hell is she doing here?” he muttered. “She doesn’t start until Monday.”

Ignoring his irritated response, she chirped, “Would you like me to show her around? Or do you want to come up and do it yourself?”

Nick knew Lorna Hathaway was probably close enough to hear what Karen had to say. He swore under his breath. “I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

“You go on, Nick,” Jim said when Nick rejoined him. “I can finish this up.”

Nick exhaled a frustrated breath. “Thanks.” He stripped off his work gloves and the hairnet everyone had to wear on the plant floor, then headed toward the metal stairs that led to the next level where all the offices were located.

When he reached his office he told himself not to show his irritation. To be polite and businesslike. But one look at the haughty ice queen wearing a dress that probably cost more than he made in a week and thumbing through the second quarter report, and all Nick’s good resolutions flew out the window. He didn’t know what it was about Lorna Hathaway that got under his skin so bad, but he couldn’t stand her. She was the epitome of the type of woman who had always looked down her nose at Nick and his brothers. The kind that knew he was from the wrong side of the tracks and thought he should have stayed there.

“You should have called first,” he said.

Her head snapped up. Something flashed in her eyes, but was gone in a second. “Nice to see you, too,” she said evenly.

He almost smiled. She might be a snob, but she wasn’t stupid. “Thing is, I’m a little busy today. The cooler was on the fritz for two hours earlier this morning, which backed everything up, so now we’re behind. Added to that, we’re installing a new outer-bagging machine, and that’s put us even more behind. So this is a real bad time. Maybe you and I could reschedule?”

“I’m sorry about the problems. However, I only dropped into your office as a courtesy,” she said, rising. “I actually came to meet my staff.”

He frowned. “Staff? You don’t have a staff.”

She stared at him. “But Nan had a secretary—her name was Stella, I believe—and I know there were at least two clerks the last time I was here. And the bookkeeper.”

Nan Mackey was their former business manager, the one Lorna was replacing.

“Stella quit when Nan left. She was pregnant. Stella, that is. And the two clerks were temps. We were in the middle of inventory the last time you were here. Phyllis, the bookkeeper, telecommutes, only coming in at the end of the month or for meetings.”

“I see. Well…have you done anything about replacing Stella?”

He shrugged. “No. I figured you’d rather hire your own secretary.” Someone you can count on to help sabotage me. “Not take someone I chose for you.”

She nodded. “Yes, you’re right, although I would have much preferred to have Stella, since she would have been a big help to me. I don’t suppose there’s anyone else here who might fill the bill?”

“Nope. Not that I know of.” He looked at Karen. “You know anyone who aspires to the office, Karen?”

She frowned in thought. “I could ask around. Maybe Rita?”