“Any word?”
“No, sweetie, I think it’s going to be a while,” I said. “Let’s go back and join Eve and Cookie.” And pull Cookie’s claws out of Eve’s throat, I thought, but kept it to myself.
Eve and Cookie weren’t speaking. Cookie was flipping through a six-month-old People magazine and Eve was pacing the floor.
“I’m so worried,” she said. I could see it in her eyes.
Something had changed in Eve’s demeanor since the three of us had that cup of coffee a few days ago. The lines between us were no longer blurred and never would be again. Eve, who surprisingly assumed the lead, was reclaiming Carl. And Carl was stepping up to validate the worth of our relationships with each other with conviction, nobility, and great personal sacrifice. Adam was unaware still that it was Carl who was going to save him. Somehow, I knew though that when Adam woke up and learned what had transpired he would be a changed man for the rest of his life.
“You know, Eve, you told me something years ago. Do you remember when Max had that awful fall and Carl stepped in? You said to me, you don’t know Carl. If something terrible is happening, Carl can make it right. I believed it then and I still believe it now. Carl is going to be fine. I just hope Adam will be fine too.”
“Yeah, except this time, Carl’s taking a bullet.”
“You’re right. But Carl knows how to judge the risk, don’t you think?”
“I think so. I mean, Carl knows Adam is in real trouble and that the odds of Adam living without a transplant are nil. And waiting for one would take too long, at least that’s what Carl told me. Of course, if we’d known this just a few weeks ago, we could’ve taken Clarabeth’s. But who knew? Anyway, she was probably too old to be a donor. I don’t think your organs are transplanted after sixty.”
“Clarabeth was close to ninety!”
“Well, then, Carl had to be the man,” Eve said. “And that’s that!”
“Too late to change his mind now,” I said.
Eve scowled and I thought to myself that I’d painted a gruesome picture for no reason. I should learn to keep my mouth shut.
“I guess it is,” Eve said. “And Eliza?”
“Yes?”
“All of Cookie’s clothes are from a consignment shop. Even her shoes.”
“Wow,” I said
We went back to where Cookie was sitting. Ted returned with Judy. Her arms were filled with magazines and newspapers. Ted passed out the water bottles.
“Sorry, Cookie, no Evian. Just Dasani.”
Cookie took the bottle from him and mumbled, “Thanks.”
“You know, there’s a VIP lounge with a television and Internet access,” Judy said.
“We might be more comfortable there because there are sofas and club chairs,” Ted said.
“And it’s stocked with snacks. The minute I realized that your donor is a doctor, I pulled a few strings, and y’all are very welcome to wait there,” Judy said.
“Why not?” Cookie said. “These chairs are terrible for the old bony derriere.”
“She said it was old, not me!” Ted said. “Come on, Cookie.”
Ted outstretched his hand to Cookie and she got up, taking his arm. I wouldn’t say she actually sneered at Judy Linder, but she held Ted’s arm in a proprietary way, sending a message that Ted was hers. But Cookie was too late. Ms. Linder had moved in for the kill. We were all walking down the hall, following her to the new lounge.
“Eliza? Ms. Linder is going to have dinner with me next week. Isn’t that wonderful?”
I thought Cookie would faint. But it only took a few seconds for her to recover.
“What? But Clarabeth hasn’t been—”
“Dead long enough?” Ted said. “Cookie, at my age, I don’t want to spend what might be the last year of my life in mourning. Clarabeth wouldn’t want that for me either.”
“Well,” she said, “I’m going to wait until Carl is out of the woods, of course. But here’s my news. I’m going to spend eleven months out of the year on cruise ships. I’m going to see the world!”
“What?” Ted said and stopped dead in his tracks. “Why?”
“Because it’s cheaper than moving to Bishop Gadsden.”
Bishop Gadsden was a very nice retirement community in Charleston.
Cookie went on. “And life here has become intolerably dull. Cruise ships can be so glamorous! Broadway entertainers! Black-tie dinners! My accountant did the math for me.”
“That’s insane,” Ted said.
“It most certainly is not! A lot of people are doing it now. It’s all the rage,” Cookie said. “I just listed my house with Carolina One. When it sells, I’m going to buy a little one-bedroom condo on the harbor in Mount Pleasant and it’s sayonara, baby! I’m spreading my wings!”
Eve and I exchanged looks of surprise.
Sayonara, baby?
“This is the first I’m hearing about it,” Eve said.
“I don’t know. Maybe. Well, what the heck? I think it’s a great idea,” Ted said.
“So do I,” I said.
“Sometimes a change of scenery is the best thing for you,” Ted said.
“Well, if I had a reason to stay, I would,” Cookie said.
Eve and I looked at each other and rolled our eyes.
The sign on the door of the VIP lounge said Hollings Society Room. Senator Fritz Hollings was something of an icon in contemporary South Carolina politics, having served in the United States Senate all my life until his recent retirement. There were wings of buildings, schools, dormitories, parks, and all kinds of spaces named for him. I imagined that there was a substantial price tag that came with the privilege of membership in the Hollings Society.
We went inside. It was as beautifully decorated as it was serene. Big leather sofas and club chairs provided several sitting areas. There was a conference table with twelve chairs and two large-screen televisions. The lounge had a Pullman-type kitchen and a bathroom. I thought, if this just had a bedroom and a better kitchen, I could live here.
Ms. Linder assured us that as soon as Carl was in recovery someone would let us know. My boys and Daphne made a beeline for the refrigerator.
“It’s only water,” Luke said.
“But there are apples and bananas over here,” Daphne said.
“This drawer has a ton of pretzels and potato chips,” Max said. “But if you eat this stuff you clog up your arteries and wind up here getting bypass.”
Judy Linder laughed and said, “Well, we have to stay in business, you know.” Everyone looked at her with surprise. “I’m kidding! I’m just kidding! Golly! This is how conspiracy theories get started, isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” Max said. “Actually, that was pretty funny.”
“Thank you,” Eve said. “This is so nice of you to let us be here.”
“It’s our pleasure!” Judy Linder said and went toward the door. “Ted?”
“Yes?”
“I’ll be expecting your call.”
“Of course!” he said.