“But you do. You do, Libby, and I don't know how much more I can take.”
She couldn't stand it anymore. She reached up and put her hands on his face, looked at his mouth and brought her lips to meet his. It wasn't soft and slow. It was angry, hard and searching. She bit his tongue and licked the small drop of blood that formed. He sucked her top lip, then her bottom. He lifted his head and with his hands moved her face first one way and then another, giving her kisses that were fast and deep and intense. They both moaned, aching for each other. Just a moment moreâ¦
The phone rang.
They parted, both of them panting. Neither of them spoke. The phone rang again.
“Wait,” he said.
“I have to go.”
Another ring. “Please, two seconds.”
He raced to the phone, “Yes?” He listened but never took his eyes off her. She rubbed her bruised lips against the soft fleece of her cuff. Her heart rate slowed and the pulse in her ears quieted.
“An ear infection? Are you sure she's all right? Okay, I'll phone the doctor. Thanks. See you in ten.”
He hung up the phone.
“Sarah?”
“Yes. Colleen was up with her all night. I'm taking her in.”
“Can I do anything to help?”
He shook his head.
She backed up to the door. “I'm sorry.”
“Me too. We'll talk.”
“Okay.”
With the door finally open, she ran to the car, started it up and roared out of the driveway. She sped away from the house as fast as she could, but stopped at the look-off in Port Morien to sit for a minute and try to understand what had happened back there. She was ashamed and excited all at the same time. It was almost as if they were dueling, trying to hurt each other with their bodies, expressing their anger the only way they could. But she was exhausted. She knew she'd reached the end of her emotional rope. Life was slower here but so far the trip had been a roller coaster and she wasn't sure how much more she could take. And that was frightening because she knew it meant hurting him again.
When she got back to the house, everyone except Lola was still asleep. She was on the bed reading a magazine.
“Bloody hell. Were you in a fight?”
“Sort of.”
Lola put the magazine down. “You are driving me around the bend. What is going on?”
Ava plunked down on the bed and covered her face in her hands. “I think I need to get out of here. I'm ruining everyone's life.”
“Rubbish. Everyone's glad you're here. You're a regular Suzy Homemaker, and you've made life a whole lot easier for everyone since you've arrived.”
She looked up and smiled. “I don't think I'd have stayed if you weren't here. I have no right to ask you to stay on.”
“I told you before, I love it here.”
Ava took off her sandals and sat back against the headboard. “Why? Why do you love it here?”
Lola's face lit up. “Because the people are real. When they say something they mean it. You don't have to wonder if someone's telling you the truth. They take pleasure in their friends and they can party like no one else. Hey, they can make music with two spoons. How great is that?”
Ava smiled, though it hurt her swollen lips.
“And I've never laughed so much in all my life. You have a wonderful family, Ava. You don't need to run away from them.”
“I didn't run away from them.”
“What happened to you?”
“Seamus and I kind of beat each other up.”
“I don't mean today, I mean when you left the first time.”
When she didn't say anything, Lola sighed. “Okay, what happened to you today? He didn't hit you, I hope.”
“He kissed me.”
“Wow. He should patent those kisses. Women everywhere pay good money to get bee-stung lips. He'd make a fortune.”
“Don't make me laugh. It hurts.”
“Stop bragging. I better go get the porridge on. Uncle Angus will be banging his bowl before too long.” She got up and left the room.
Ava sat for a long time, absentmindedly tracing her lips with her forefinger. She could still feel him pressing against them. He left a permanent mark. She'd always have it and was grateful for it. Did he feel the same way?
What would've happened if the phone hadn't rung? She almost blushed thinking about it. So she thought about it some more. She snuggled into the blankets and made love to him in her mind. It was something she was good atâshe'd been doing it for years.
As if by some secret pact, they stayed away from each other after that. Ava was grateful for the chance to get back a sense of normalcy. And besides, the end of June was rapidly approaching and she had a date with her nieces. The day after she mentioned her idea, she placed a call to Maurice and asked him if he'd help her out.
“Anything for you, dumpling. What is it? Oh, just a minute.” She heard him shout at Harold. “Tell that walking-stick of a client that I can't poof her hair up. She'll look like a Q-tip.” He came back on the line. “You were saying, darling?”
“You wouldn't like to take a little side trip, would you?”
“You sweet thing. Where are we going now? Morocco? Paris, please God.”
“Cape Breton, Nova Scotia?”
“Cape where?”
“You know. Where I live.”
“You live in Malibu.”
“Maurice⦔
“Oh. You mean Canada, where the Inuit and the Mounties do play?” “That's right.”
“Pardon my French, darling, but isn't it fucking freezing there?”
“Of course not, it's June. Granted, it's not California hot.”
“I'll wear my pink long johns. So what am I doing for you? What fabulous event is so important that I have to fly to the other side of the earth?”
“Um, I'd like you to do my nieces' hair and makeup for the prom.” “Say what?”
“You know, the prom. A magic night in any young girl's life. It's important and they were so excited when I mentioned it.”
“They?”
“There are three of them.”
Maurice hollered, “Harold! Get my smelling salts.”
“Please? Please? With sugar on top?”
“Replace the sugar with Hugh Jackman and you've got a deal.”
“Thank you so much. I love you!”
“That's what they all say.” He hung up on her and she kissed the phone.
The day arrived when Ava, her sisters and nieces traipsed into Sydney to look for prom dresses. Lola tagged along as well, after Sandy's wife told them she'd be glad to babysit the old folk for the afternoon. At first Ava offered to fly them to Halifax for the day, to look at some of the formal-wear shops there, but everyone seemed happier with the thought of staying close to home, mostly in case Mamie took a turn for the worst.
When their entourage arrived at Jacobson's, they trooped up the stairs to the bridal salon. The sales ladies did a double take when they realized Ava Harris was in their shop.
The girls went wild and so did their mothers. Ava and Lola fairly hopped with glee. Sam, Vicky and Emily each headed for a different dressing room and came out again and again to model their choices and get feedback. Ava beamed watching them. Their fresh faces instantly transformed into young beauties as they twirled around in a sea of sparkling silk, taffeta and organza. But what was even more wonderful for Ava was the joy in her sisters' faces as they gazed upon their baby girls.
The girls were delighted with their choices and each of them ran to their Aunt Libby to give her big hugs.
Ava summoned one of the salesladies, who looked overwhelmed herself with all the excitement. “Get the girls to pick out the most expensive shoes and whatever else they need.”
“Can I have a tiara?” Vicky whispered.
“Of course you can. And gloves and wraps and little satin bags⦠whatever your heart desires.”
“Even jewelry?” Emily squeaked.
Her mother said, “That's enough, honey. She's spending way too much as it is.”
“Nonsense. Choose whatever you like and we'll have them wrap it up.”
The girls flitted off to try on satin and rhinestone high heels, and then hurried to the jewelry counter to ohh and ahh over necklaces and earrings.
“Oh god,” Bev tsked, “this is way too much Libby. You've already spent eight hundred dollars each for their dresses.”
Ava grabbed her hands. “Please let me. I don't have children of my own. Who else do I have to spend my money on?”
Lola raised her hand. “I'm at your service.”
They wrapped up their incredible afternoon with a lovely lunch at Goodies and then scooted home to show everyone their purchases. But as incredible as that day was, it was nothing compared to the excitement generated by the arrival of Maurice and his entourage.
Aunt Vi could hardly contain her excitement. “I'm real glad this is hair central. Wait till them fellas get here. Geranium will have a stroke.”
Uncle Angus rocked in the rocking chair. “I'll leave once them fairy fellas show up. But I have to see one up close.”
Ava put her hands on her hips. “How do you know they're fairy fellas?”
He snorted. “What sort of man plays with makeup? I'm not stupid, ya know.”
Aunt Vi concurred. “Everyone knows them Hollywood hairdressers sit to pee.”
Lola laughed out loud. “Oh Aunt Vi. I love you.”
Ava knew the jet was landing at eleven o'clock. She arranged for a car to pick them up, so estimated they'd arrive around eleven thirty, which would give them a chance to catch their breath and also have a bite before the girls showed up. Under Aunt Vi's tutelage, she and Lola prepared a nice lunch of lobster rolls, tea biscuits, potato salad, and pasta salad. There was fresh strawberry shortcake with whipped cream for dessert.
The car pulled up bang on time. Maurice, Harold, and their assistants, Lars and Philippe, disembarked with the dazed look of people who'd been dropped on another planet. Maurice wore a multi-coloured scarf around his neck with what looked like a purple Stetson on his head. His suit was impeccable.
Harold, in his oversized mirrored sunglasses, clapped his hands at the driver in an obvious attempt to get the man moving with the bags. Ava and Lola rushed out to meet them.
Ava ran into Maurice's arms. “Oh, I've missed you! Thank you for this.”
He hugged her and lifted her off her feet. “Good God, you're enormous. You fat pig.”
“I know,” she smiled. “It's my Aunt Vi's cooking.”
“Where is the beastly woman? She mustn't go unpunished.”
He delivered a quick peck to Lola. “You're looking as vile as ever.” “Ditto,” she retorted.
Maurice looked around and sniffed the air. “What is that foul odor?”
“The fish plant over there.”
“Ah. Tell them to move it.” He looked around and then peered from under his glasses. “There's a woman with a telescope leering at us.”
“Wave. That's Geranium.”
He waved and Geranium disappeared. She no doubt fell to the floor in a dead faint.
Harold rushed up, Lars and Philippe on his heels carrying the bags. “Ava, it's so good to see you!” He grabbed her and gave her a big kiss before turning around and ordering the other two about. “We're on an impossible schedule, darlings, so chop chop. We have to be in the air by seven.”
Maurice held up his hands. “Harold, calm down. Genius takes time. We don't want to rush the little creatures. Apparently, it's a big night in their lives, so Ava informs me. And speaking of Ava, sweetie, you need drastic emergency work on your roots. I'm surprised people don't flee in disgust when they see you.”
“Never mind me. Come meet my family.”
They headed for the house. Inside, they took off their sunglasses simultaneously.
“Oh my,” Maurice sniffed. “How adorable.”
“Quaint,” Harold agreed. Lars and Philippe were too stunned to speak.
Ava pulled Maurice along. “Maurice, this is my Uncle Angus and my Aunt Vi.”
Maurice held out his hand, as if waiting for someone to kiss it. “Charmed.”
Uncle Angus reached out and waggled his index finger. “Nice to meet you.”
“Thank you, kind sir. And this is your lovely wife. Enchanté, madam.”
Aunt Vi dismissed him with her hand and giggled. “Lordy, ain't you a sight for sore eyes.”
“That's what people tell me.”
Ava ushered them into the dining room where their lunch was laid out. “I thought you could do with a bite before the girls get here.”
“Oh darling, you know I never eat.”
“Is that so?” Uncle Angus said. “Is that some kinda rule?”
“Excuse me?”
Lola jumped in. “No one eats in Hollywood, Uncle Angus.”
“Remind me not to go there.”
Maurice took a second look at the scrumptious feast. “Well, one has to be polite. I'll make an exception.”
Not a crumb was left by the time they served the tea.
The girls and their mothers arrived, excited and nervous. The minute they saw Maurice and his entourage, they became unnaturally quiet. They looked completely overwhelmed, like lambs to the slaughter.
But Maurice wasn't famous for nothing. He instantly engaged his famous charm and made the girls feel at ease. Ava was grateful that he took the engagement seriously. He pondered and discussed the merits of one hairstyle over another, then consulted with the girls about what kind of colour they might like and even took a folded piece of paper that Samantha gave him with a picture of Britney Spears on it, pretending to examine it closely.
Harold, with Maurice's guidance, supervised the mixing of colours for the streaks. All the women watched the process with fascination. Uncle Angus excused himself and went to watch
The Price is Right
. Soon their toolsâhair dryers, huge rollers, and flat ironsâwere spread over the kitchen table. At one point the girls looked like TV dinners, they had so much foil on their heads.