“I’ve been a nurse since I was twenty-six years old and haven’t stopped yet, even with a son who’s made sure I never have to work another day in my life if I don’t want to.” Erica smiled at Red.
“She’s a very hard working lady,” Red said, his gaze landing everywhere but his mother. “Taught me a lot about having a great work ethic.”
Erica waved his comments off. “I’m nothing special, really,” she said to Nicole. “I’m just a mother and a nurse. A simple person, really—always have been.”
“I think you’re sweet,” Nicole told her.
His mother looked surprised. “Sweet? Did you hear that, my darling son? Your wife-to-be thinks I’m sweet. I haven’t heard that term used to describe me very often.”
Nicole shrugged, feeling strangely embarrassed. She was trying to figure out if Erica made her uncomfortable because of the stories Red had told her, or because of something that Nicole sensed about the woman.
Red patted Nicole’s leg. “Nicole sees the best in everyone.”
“You do, don’t you?” Erica said, her dark eyes locking on Nicole’s.
“I try to.”
The older woman nodded sagely. “It seems to me that you’ve been given a gift, darling. A positive outlook is worth more than all the money in the world.”
Red grimaced a little, just a flash—but Nicole noticed it. Erica, however, just nodded her head, as if agreeing with herself. Then she began rummaging through her purse again.
The driver glanced at them in his rearview mirror. “Excuse me, ma’am, but what address on West 45th?”
Erica closed her eyes. “Oh, I forget the exact address. Driver, do you know where the Lyceum Theatre is?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Red stared at his mother. “The Lyceum Theatre? Why are we going there?”
She didn’t answer him. After rummaging a bit more rummaging, she gave a shout of happiness. “Here they are! I was starting to think I’d left them at home. That’s what I get for carrying a purse filled with junk.” Erica pulled three tickets out of her bag, somewhat bent and battered.
Red took them from her. “Venus in Fur,” he muttered, reading the tickets, his eyes narrowing. “I’m not sure I’ve heard of it. What kind of play is it?”
“It’s gotten rave reviews,” his mother said. Then she looked at Nicole. “Are you a fan of the theatre?”
Nicole wasn’t sure what to say. She’d been to Legally Blonde and Wicked, but somehow she wasn’t sure that was the kind of theatre that Erica was talking about. “I’d love to see a show,” she said, not sure how else to answer.
“You see, Red? This girl’s a keeper. Up for anything.” She winked at Nicole slyly.
Red handed the tickets back to his mother. “I wish you’d at least mentioned the idea to me beforehand.”
“You’d just have come up with an excuse not to go. I know my son too well.”
Red looked at her. “And I know my mother too well. What’s the play about?”
“It’s about relationships,” she said, meeting his gaze. “I thought it to be very appropriate subject matter, given your recent announcement.” Erica took the tickets from him and put them back in her purse. “Not that you bothered telling me about your engagement. But you let the world know through the tabloids, as usual, so I suppose I should be thrilled. And I am thrilled.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner,” Red said, sighing. He looked weary already, Nicole thought.
“Not at all,” Erica said. “I don’t dwell on the past like some do. I’m just happy to be here with you two lovebirds now.”
Watching Red interact with his mother, Nicole felt as though she were watching a bullfight. Erica, the matador, was poking Red with her dagger, leaving one hole after another, and yet Red was still on his feet, staggering. You hardly noticed the wounds, they were so small, and Erica was so fast in delivering the blows. Yet they wounds were there, if you looked closely enough.
Nicole felt helpless to intervene. This was a dynamic that went all the way back to the beginning of Red’s life, and the interplay between the two of them was far too subtle and confusing for her to get in the middle of, especially after just meeting the woman.
At the same time, she could see Red was already worn out after just a few minutes in his mother’s company. Nicole took his hand in her own, even though he resisted at first. She squeezed firmly to let him know he could count on her.
He gave her a squeeze in return and they exchanged a knowing smile.
Nicole noticed that Erica was watching them with an enigmatic expression. The older woman smiled in a robotic way, her gaze darting down to where Red and Nicole’s hands were clasped.
The silence in the limo was getting uncomfortable again, but thankfully they arrived at the Lyceum Theatre. Just above the entrance, Nicole saw the title of the play in big bold letters. VENUS IN FUR.