Marriage Matters

Forty-six

Sitting in front of the mirror at her vanity table, June touched the perfume dauber to her neck. The bright, citrusy scent did not match her dark mood one bit. Setting down the bottle, she frowned at her reflection.

“Maybe I should call in sick,” June told Charley. “I just know they’re not going to want to see me at mahjong.”

Charley was busy looking out the window with a pair of binoculars. “June. Don’t be foolish. You never miss your group.”

“Yes, but . . .” Her hands hovered over the earrings she’d planned to clip on. They were yellow daisies, trimmed with white enamel. They seemed much too bright for the way she was feeling. “I’m afraid. Isn’t that ridiculous?”

When June and Charley had started seeing each other, Rose and Bernice simply stopped returning her calls. The snub very much hurt June’s feelings. Besides, everyone was saying that Rose had started to date a young man she’d met while spending time with Charley at the golf course. How could she possibly be angry at June? Bernice, on the other hand . . . well, June could understand.

“They’ll get over it,” Charley said, scanning the backyard, “as soon as they see how happy you are.” Turning away from the window, he trained the binoculars on her. “I can see that pretty clearly. You’re glowing.”

“Oh.” June’s hands fluttered to her face. She was certain those binoculars picked up every wrinkle, each imperfection. “I most certainly am not.” When the binoculars remained trained on her face, she shook her finger at him. “Charley Montgomery, you stop that this instant.”

Chuckling, he walked over to her and rested his chin on her head. Gazing at their reflection in the mirror, he said, “I have never seen anything as beautiful as you. Not the plume of a bird or the petal of a flower. Your friends couldn’t possibly be mean to something so lovely.”

“I don’t know.” June frowned, although she very much liked the sight of Charley’s face hovering above hers. “These women certainly don’t like to lose.”

“You don’t like to lose, either.” Charley winked. “And for that, I will be forever grateful.”

June scrunched up her lips. “Do you really think you could have married Rose?”

He chuckled. “Rose is a lovely woman. And she makes a delicious strudel. But marry her? No. Most certainly not.”

“What about Bernice?”

“Bernice . . .” He thought for a moment. “There’s something very sweet about Bernice. Actually, I wouldn’t mind setting her up with one of my friends. I might know just the fellow.”

June’s eyes widened. “Really?” She clasped her hands in delight. “Oh, Charley. That would be wonderful. Then maybe she’d forgive me.”

“Well, don’t get too excited. He’s down in Florida now and won’t be back until the spring but . . .” Charley tapped his finger against his lips. “I think those two would hit it off real well.”

June let out a happy sigh. “Now, if only Bernice will speak to me, I can tell her that.”

He just shook his head, watching her.

“What?” June clipped on her earrings. “What is it?”

“You’re just a remarkable woman, June. I’ve never met anyone who wants so badly for everyone around her to be happy.”

June studied her hands, feeling guilty. It was nice of him to say but she certainly didn’t feel remarkable. Not in the slightest. “That’s not true,” she admitted. “I would have died if Rose or Bernice ended up with you.”

“That never would have happened,” Charley said. “I had my eye on you from the beginning. And I didn’t even need to use these.” He patted the binoculars.

June smiled, thinking of the way she used to spy on him.

“Now, you’ve all been friends for a long time,” he said. “They’ll come around. And if they don’t . . .” He lifted his chin, trying to look tough. “You just give old Charley a call. He’ll go ahead and give them a talking-to.”

“Ah-ha,” June said, her eyes dancing. “Turns out, I am not a nice person at all, because . . .” Getting to her feet, she rested her cheek against Charley’s chest. “That’s something I’d really like to see.”

* * *

June hovered at the edge of Nina Lowenstein’s wood-paneled library, twisting her hands. The low-lit room with its long brocade curtains, wall-to-wall first editions and ornate antique tables suddenly felt cold and intimidating. Groups of women were clustered together, whispering, their backs to the door. It did not escape June’s notice that not one of the women looked her way.

Oh, dear. This was worse than she suspected.

Just as June was about to make a run for it, Rue swept up to her side, gripping her elbow. “Hello, darling family,” she crooned.

Conservative as always, Rue was dressed in an elegant pantsuit with her hair done in a neat bob. Considering she was from one of the oldest families in Chicago, June had always been slightly intimidated by her, until the day June paid her a visit to discuss Geoff’s intentions with her granddaughter. Rue had been so delighted to learn that the two were seeing each other that she and June had their first good talk ever, lasting late into the afternoon.

Now, June smiled at her in delight. “Isn’t it something? You should have seen your grandson. He got down on one knee as though he were an old pro.”

Rue raised a well-groomed eyebrow. “Darling, he is something of an expert. He’s been married once before, you know.”

June laughed. “Yes,” she said. “That experience must have come into play.”

Rue’s tongue touched the edge of her mouth, as though waiting for June to say something else. Finally, she said, “You little devil. You’re going to make me ask about it, aren’t you? Fine. Is it true that you will be in the wedding, too? Not as a bridesmaid but as a bride?”

A smile leapt to June’s lips. “It’s true,” she sang, pulling the faux fur wrap she was wearing tightly around her. “I’m marrying Charley Montgomery, my darling neighbor. I’m very happy but . . . I think Bernice and Rose are angry at me.”

The two had their heads together and were in a very animated conversation. On one hand, June was happy to see them finally getting along. On the other, it was disappointing that they seemed to be bonding over a mutual dislike for her.

Rue’s eyes flashed. “I will most certainly take care of that right now. As a matter of fact, why don’t you come with me?”

Rue strode across the thick carpeting. Clapping her hands, she announced, “Ladies! Before we get started today, I have something to say. This bride-to-be is about to join my family and I am simply delighted for her. If there is anything any of you have to say about the issue, I’d appreciate it if you’d say it in front of me.”

Rose stepped forward, her blue taffeta dress crunching with the effort. Putting her hands on her hips, she studied June with those cold, cat-like eyes. “I certainly have something to say.”

Bernice nodded, taking a step toward June. “Something to say, indeed.”

The room suddenly felt quite tense. June swallowed hard, wondering if she’d have to call in Charley’s assistance after all.

“Alright,” she said, lifting her chin. “What is it?”

Rose and Bernice looked at each other, then shouted, “Congratulations!” The women in the mahjong group cheered and applauded, stepping away from the table they’d been crowded around. There sat a cake in the shape of a silver fox. In bright pink script, the cake read: Congratulations, June! You always win the prize.

June’s mouth dropped open. She stared at the cake. “Oh, my,” she breathed, clasping her hands against her chest. Suddenly, the room felt quite hot. “Oh, my.”

Rue patted her on the back. “It appears, darling, that everyone is, in fact, quite pleased.”

“I’m sorry I was a shit,” Bernice said, rushing over and giving June a tight hug. In spite of their proximity, her voice was as loud as ever. “You deserve all the happiness in the world. Congratulations.”

“Out of the way, Bernice,” Rose said, pushing her aside. “It’s my turn.” Shaking her head, she said, “I have to admit, June. I am quite relieved about all this.”

“Relieved?” June said, surprised. “Why?”

“Charley was simply exhausting to court. The only thing he ever wanted to talk about was you.” Giving her a kiss on each cheek, Rose smiled. “I’m happy for you.”

June’s heart was brimming with joy. Not only had she been blessed with the gift of love for the second time in her life, she was blessed with wonderful friends to celebrate with. Giving a big smile, she said, “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s eat cake.”