3
Sep
Chapter One
“What’s the girl crying about now?”
Amelia Tynen turned and shot a warning glance at her mother-in-law. Wrapping her arm around her sobbing niece’s shoulders she whispered, “Just ignore Maw-Maw.” To the blue-haired dragon lady shuffling through the comfortably shabby family room Amelia said, “Gina’s having boyfriend troubles, Harriett. Be nice.”
“Bah. Gina’s always having boyfriend troubles if you ask me.” Harriett tapped the polished pine floor with her faux gem studded cane. “It’s time for that girl to settle down and have babies.”
“Maw-maw,” Gina wailed, “not that again.”
Amelia thrust fresh tissues into her niece’s hand. “Here, blow.”
“Yuck.” Gina tossed wadded tissues to the floor. “Until I get this relationship thing right, there’s no point in thinking about babies. No way will I raise a baby alone.”
“I don’t understand why relationships are so hard now-a-days.” Harriet settled in her lopsided, plaid recliner and rested her cane against the table. Picking up the television remote, she said, “In my day you picked a fella, you let him do a little wooing, you got hitched. Bing, bang, boom. Before you know it, there’s a baby in the next room.” Pushing up her red-framed glasses, she shrugged. “Simple.”
Gina choked back a sob. “Maw-Maw, please.”
“Humph.” Aiming the remote like Dirty Harry would his favorite forty-four caliber Magnum, Harriett turned on the television. Over the canned applause of Wheel of Fortune she said, “Amelia, where’s the TV Guide, hon?”
Amelia patted Gina’s back then carried the ragged TV magazine to Harriett. While her mother-in-law thumbed through the guide, Amelia discreetly lowered the TV’s volume. “Gina, baby. Tell us what happened.”
“I’m not really sure,” Gina sniffed. “Everything was great. I mean, Jason was so sweet. He called me at least four times a day. He even took me to Enzo’s.” She looked up at Amelia with liquid brown eyes. “You know?”
Amelia nodded and murmured, “Um-hum.” A date at Enzo’s marked many a milestone in the romantic journeys of Atlanta’s residents.
“Oh, Mimi.” Fresh sobs racked Gina. “Then he just quit calling,” she sniffed.
Amelia handed her niece the tissue box and sat beside her on the worn chenille sofa.
Gina tugged out a handful of fresh ones. “Tracy said she saw him at the ballpark with a blonde in Daisy Dukes.”
Suddenly the TV went silent and Harriett said, “Did you sleep with him, Gina-girl?”
“Maw-maw!” Gina pounded her fists on her thighs.
“Harriett, that’s none of your business. Gina’s a grown woman.”
“Why buy the cow?” Harriett muttered.
“Oh!” Gina wailed.
“Let’s make some tea.” Amelia led Gina to the kitchen, giving Harriett a killing glance as they passed by. Harriett stuck out her tongue, aimed the remote control once more, and Wheel of Fortune once again blared from the television.
“Back at ‘cha,” Amelia whispered.
Harriett giggled.
In the kitchen, Gina plopped in a chair and sniffed into the tissues clutched in her fist. Amelia glanced at her watch. Twelve-thirty. The plumber was an hour late.
Again.
As if joining Gina in weeping about the fickle nature of lovers and plumbers, the pipes shuddered while Amelia filled the teakettle. The frail and quivering plumbing choked out as much pressure as it could manage while the upstairs toilet belched and refilled, like it did every time anyone used water in the kitchen. Just one of the great mysteries of the grand old Atlanta manse the Tynens called home and studio.
For the third day in a row Amelia had interrupted her work to wait for the plumber. Two days ago Harriett scared off the first young man before he could diagnose the problem. At least, the current cookbook photo shoot was here in the studio, instead of on location. The worst that could happen would be the lacquer on the breads would have to be refreshed. Well, actually her less-than-dependable brother-in-law could fail to show and she wouldn’t have a photographer.
Again.
But if all went according to plan, Amelia would still make her deadline for the cookbook publisher.
According to plan? What was she thinking?
Clicking the knob on the range set the blue tinged gas flames hissing and dancing under the white enamel kettle. Back to the immediate problem. She carried floral patterned mugs to the table and sat across from Gina.
Clasping Gina’s hands in hers, she said, “Okay, now we can talk.”
“Aunt Mimi, I think I’m hopeless. How did you do it?”
“Do what, sweetie?”
“How did you and Uncle Aaron manage to be so happy for so long?”
“Oh, that.” Amelia pulled her hands away from Gina’s and rose. Striding quickly to the pantry to get tea bags, Amelia struggled to gain control of her emotions. Yes, she and Aaron had been happy, but certainly not for long enough. When he died suddenly of a heart attack two years ago, she felt like she’d been cheated out of a lifetime. They still had so many things they wanted to do together. They planned to travel, beginning with a six-week tour of Europe and a visit to Alaska.
But a massive heart attack had taken him away at forty-nine. And for Amelia, life had stopped.
The kettle whistled and she busied herself with the tea bags.
Oh, she managed to go through the motions if she concentrated on one little step at a time, like she did now: pot holders and kettle; pour water; open tea bag; dip, dip, dip. Soon she had a cup of tea, and eventually another day had passed.
Gina wrapped her hands around her mug. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think….”
“It’s okay, sweetie. We were happy, but I’ll be damned if I know how we did it.” Amelia shrugged. “There certainly isn’t a recipe for happiness. I guess your Uncle Aaron and I just knew the best and the worst about each other and accepted it all.”
The kitchen’s swinging door squealed before Harriet came in. “Enough water for another cup?”
“Sure.” Amelia rose to get a cup, but Harriett waved her off.
“I can get my own cup, thank you. So what’s the solution to Gina-girl’s problem?”
Gina shrugged. “I’ve no idea, Maw-Maw.”
“If you want my advice–”
“Harriett, we’ll not have anymore talk of cows and such.”
Harriett put her cup on the table with a thump and reached for the kettle on the stove. “I wasn’t going to talk livestock. I’ve been off that damn farm for fifty years now. But it appears to me the “Sex in the City” approach to happiness leaves a lot to be desired.”
Gina rolled her eyes at her grandmother. “Maybe Maw-maw’s right.”
Amelia shot Gina a surprised look.
Harriett nodded smugly. “Glory be! The child can see reason.”
Her eyes dancing with mischief, Gina said, “My problem with men must be my shoes.”
“What?” Harriet demanded. “Your shoes?”
Gina broke into giggles, Amelia burst out laughing and Harriett guffawed.
“Gotcha, Maw-maw.”
The sad tension broken, the women sipped their tea in silent companionship for a few moments. Amelia fingered a scar on the kitchen table and said, “So, what are you going to do now, Gina?”
“Do? ” Gina shrugged and shook her head. “I’ll jump back in those shark infested waters and see what I come up with. But first I need to go shopping.”
“Shopping?” Harriett asked.
“Yes. Gotta have new shoes.” Gina laughed and took a sip of tea.
“Seriously, if you think you’re ready to find Mr. Right, I have an idea that might work.” Amelia watched as Gina’s expression shadowed. Maybe her niece didn’t want advice. Maybe she just wanted a shoulder to cry on.
“Really? Gucci or Jimmy Choo?”
“Okay, don’t laugh, but Harriett might be partly right about why you end up heartbroken.”
“See?” Harriett waggled a finger at her granddaughter. “Listen to the voices of experience.”
Gina snorted. “I thought we weren’t going to talk livestock.”
Amelia shook her head. “Just a minute ago you asked me how Aaron and I managed to find happiness. Do you remember my answer?”
“You said you accepted each other.”
“I think you missed the most important part of that equation.”
A puzzled frown creased Gina’s brow. “What?”
“I said Aaron and I knew each other. We knew the best and worst about each other.”
“I said Aaron and I knew each other. We knew the best and worst about each other.”
“Yes,” Gina nodded, “and accepted it.”
“You’re still missing the point, sweetie. I don’t think you’re giving yourself time to really get to know a man before you–”
“Jump his bones? Do the nasty?” Harriett watched them over the rim of her cup.
“Harriett.”
“What? I didn’t say a word about cows.”
“I’m serious. Both of you. Gina, I think you need to give yourself time to really know a man, and learn to love his mind, his humor, his life, before you sleep with him.”
Gina’s astonished gaze darted between her grandmother and her aunt. “You guys aren’t teasing, are you? You think I’m a slut! You think I just sleep with anybody?” Eyes brimming with fresh tears, she whimpered, “You think I don’t love the man I sleep with?”
“Hold on, sweetie. That’s not what I said. How long did you date Jason?”
“Before I slept with him? Not that it’s any of your business.”
“No. In total.”
“About two months, I guess.”
“Okay, tell me something. What kind of socks did he like to wear?”
“Socks?”
Amelia nodded.
“This should be good.” Harriett blew across her cup of steaming tea.
“Shush, Harriett.”
Gina sighed. “God, I don’t know. Black ones, I think.”
“See, that’s what I mean. When you really know a man you know if he prefers cotton, or nylon, crew or over-the-calf. If he wears white socks with jeans, or only dress socks.” Amelia tapped her finger on the table. “When you can tell me that, you’ve spent enough time to get to know a man.”
“Oh. But how long does that take?”
“I suppose it could take weeks or months. But when he’s the right guy, you learn those little details fast enough to make your head spin. You seem to develop radar that continuously catalogs fine points about his character, his preferences. You notice the minutiae that makes the man.”
Gina stared at her like she’d grown two heads.
“Hah.” Harriett said, pointing to Gina. “Look at her. She doesn’t have the patience. She’d rather play love like a video game. Bleep! Game over, start a new one.”
“You think I’m a kid?” Gina straightened with indignation. “You think I don’t have any patience?”
“Now, don’t get mad, sweetie. We just think you need to slow down a little and let love develop.”
Harriet shook her head. “She can’t do it. I’ll bet she can’t go a month without jumping in the sack with next fellow who comes along.”
“Harriett, I’m not joking about this. I’m trying to give Gina serious advice.”
“Okay.” Gina slapped her hands on the table. “I’ll do it.”
“What?” Harriett and Amelia asked in unison.
“I bet I can go one month without having sex.”
Harriet clapped her hands. “All right!”
“Wait.” Shifting her gaze from her crazy mother-in-law to her determined niece, Amelia said, “Gina, this isn’t a game.”
“I know that. I’m willing to try this relationship thing your way. Who knows? It might just work.”
Harriett reached across the table and patted Gina’s hand. “I always knew you were a reasonable child.”
Gina lifted her grandmother’s hand and kissed it, then turned her attention to her aunt. “But if I’m going to change the way I think about love and life, then so will you, Aunt Mimi.”
Amelia gasped. “Me?”
Harriett whooped with laughter. “Turn those tables, honey.”
“Hold on just a minute. I’m not looking for love.”
“That’s the point, Aunt Mimi.” Gina took Amelia’s hand and stroked the pale indention on her ring finger. “You need to. It’s been two years since Uncle Aaron died. It’s time for you to start living again.”
“Sweetie, I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine. I’m happy. Right, Harriett?”
Harriett shook her head. “I’m not sure you are happy, Amelia. You don’t seem to have any friends. You’re not interested in anything but Tynen Photography. All you do is work and harass me.”
Amelia drew in a sharp breath and stared at the two women across the table from her. How had this discussion turned back on her?
“See, Maw-maw agrees with me. You need a life, Aunt Mimi.”
Harriett cocked a brow and nodded her agreement.
Gina leaned over and kissed Amelia on the cheek. “Here’s the deal. I’ll go one month without sex and you have to start dating again. Seriously date. That means, you know….” Gina flipped her hand, indicating the next step after dating.
“Oh, come on. I’m too old to date, and certainly too old for….”
“Pshaw. We all need a little shaking up. Amelia, you’re too young to act so old. Try to remember you’re only forty-five. The best years are ahead of you, dear.” Harriett wagged a finger toward her granddaughter. “Gina, you’re too old to act so young, flitting from man to man. Twenty-seven is time to get serious about your career and your life.” Harriett paused and crossed her arms over her ample bosom. “And I’m for damn sure too old to be this tied down. I should be out there flying free in my last few years.”
“You know you can do anything you want to, Harriett. And I don’t want to hear anymore about your last few years. You’ve got lots of years left and you know it.”
Harriett raised her hand to stop that line of conversation. “We know all too well that life isn’t predictable.” She took Amelia’s hand in hers. “I loved my dear boy Aaron, and I love you like a daughter. Understand?”
Choking back a sob, Amelia nodded.
Turning to Gina, Harriett said, “And you know that you are more precious to me than life itself, Gina-girl.”
Gina burst into sobs once more. “Maw-maw?”
“What I want more than anything is for you both to be happy, and I just don’t see that happening if things keep going the way they are. So here’s the deal. Gina, you love my Corvette, right?”
“You know I do, Maw-maw.”
“Amelia, you want Gina to settle down and take her rightful place in the business, right?’
“Yes, but only if that’s what Gina really wants.”
“Aunt Mimi, you never said you wanted to me join the business.”
“Well, with your dad branching out to do, um, portrait work–”
“I wouldn’t call photographing cheerleaders and barmaids portraiture, Mimi.” Gina shook her head. “He’s gone crazy, hasn’t he?”
“No, baby. He’s just dealing with his mortality.” Harriett shrugged. “He’s turning fifty-four this year.”
“Is that it, really?” Gina looked relieved. “I know he had a tough time when he and Mom divorced, but this kind of behavior is embarrassing.”
Nodding, Harriett said, “He’s scared because he lost his brother. But Jeff is like me. He’s going to live forever. Now where were we? Oh yes, the business. So Amelia, you need help with the business, don’t you?”
Amelia nodded, almost afraid of what was coming next.
Harriett pushed up her sleeves and spread her manicured and bejeweled hands on the table like a blackjack dealer. “Ladies, this is what you’re playing for.”
“Hold it.” Amelia pushed her chair back and stood. “Hold it right there. I never said I was playing or dealing or anything.”
“I think she’s afraid, Maw-Maw.”
“Afraid?” Amelia choked out a laugh. “Of what?”
Harriett looked her in the eye and said quietly, “You’re afraid to love again. Afraid you won’t survive another hurt.” She paused to put her hand over her heart. “But you will, Amelia, and we’re going to make sure that you get another chance.”
Clearing her throat, Amelia sat down. “I am not afraid.”
“Are too,” Gina whispered.
“These are the rules, then. Gina remains celibate for a month, and I sign my old rattletrap Corvette over to her.”
Gina clapped her hands together. “I can do that. I don’t need a man if I have a car like that.”
Harriet nodded in agreement. “If Amelia gets laid in a month then Gina becomes a partner in the business.”
“You’re both crazy. You know that, don’t you?” Amelia rose and snatched cups off the table. “I’m not playing any stupid betting game.”
“I guess I’m doomed to keep making the same old mistakes over and over again,” Gina sighed.
“I guess I’m doomed to keep making the same old mistakes over and over again,” Gina sighed.
Standing at the sink, Amelia turned on the faucet. The pipes wheezed and shuddered and the toilet upstairs belched. Everything seemed to be closing in on her. She couldn’t handle the workload with Jeff goofing off with his portrait work. She needed and wanted Gina to become a part of the business. But more importantly, she wanted Gina to give herself a chance to really fall in love. Amelia squeezed her eyes closed.
And she damn sure didn’t want to live the rest of life in this stagnant fear that had consumed her for the last two years. If agreeing to this stupid bet pushed her beloved niece and herself on the path to happiness, what did she have to lose? Besides, she really only had to try to date. She could stretch that out for a month. No wait, one month was too short. Gina needed several months to make sure she’d found the right guy.
Spinning around to face Harriett and Gina waiting at the table, she said, “First of all, one month is not enough time. I’m not jumping in bed with some man in just a couple of weeks. I’ll need at least six months.”
Gina choked. “Six months?”
Harriett frowned. “Amelia, darlin’. None of us are gettin’ any younger, you know. I think you’re stalling. Six months is a long time.”
Gina nodded vigorously. “That’s right. My biological clock is ticking away.”
“Six months is too long?”
Grandmother and granddaughter nodded in unison.
Amelia sighed. “How about four?”
Harriett nodded. “That sounds reasonable. Gina, that Corvette is a prime 1969 jewel. A real collectible.”
Gina countered, “Three?”
Amelia stared at them. She wished she’d known insanity ran in the family before she married Aaron.
Twelve short weeks, and she was supposed to jump in the sack with a man. A man who wasn’t her sweet Aaron. Could she gain enough self-confidence to dive into those tempestuous dating waters Gina fretted about? She glanced at her hands folded in her lap. The sprinkling of brown spots across her knuckles was just the tip of the aging iceberg she’d become. Could she thaw her frozen heart by the end of spring?
“Ladies, do we have a deal?” Harriett looked at the other two women expectantly.
Amelia cleared her throat and stalled for time. “I have one more question. What do you get Harriett?”
Harriett slapped the table. “Honey, I’ll be joining my friends at the Dunwoody Acres Retirement Center once I’m sure you’re launched into the world again, Amelia dear.”
“So, you really want to move out, Harriett?”
“All in good time, all in good time.” She glanced at her watch. “We need to close this deal, because I’m out of here in ten minutes. Dodie is taking me to the Dunwoody Recreation Center. It’s the Romeos against the Juliets in bridge today.”
“Romeos and Juliets?” Gina asked.
Harriett chuckled. “Yep. That’s the Retired-Old-Men-Eating-Out and the Just-Us-Ladies-Enjoying-Tea.”
Gina nodded. “Oh, that makes sense.”
Harriett turned her attention back to her daughter-in-law. “Well, Amelia, what’s the verdict?”
Scratching at a spot on the old oak table, Amelia sighed. “I guess you’re mostly right. It’s time for me get out and live.” She looked from Harriett’s wise-guy expression to Gina’s expectant gaze. “Okay, I’m in. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?”
“Right, Mimi.” Gina giggled, and raised her teacup. “Count me in, Maw-maw.”
Harriett clinked her mug against Gina’s. “Here’s to finding love.”
“For real, for true, for the first time,” Gina chimed.
Amelia touched her mug to theirs and murmured, “Again.”
