Chapter 7
“Ready Donna?” Kristen called up the stairs.
“I’ll be right down.” Donna had hoped to spend some time going over Matt’s books, but she barely had time to change before the wedding shower. She wore navy slacks and a lacy lilac sweater over a matching camisole. She trotted quickly down the stairs carrying her present, but stopped when she saw Kristen.
Kristen was dressed in a boho dress of brick-red paisley. The asymmetric hem stopped just above her knees in the front, flowing almost to her ankles in back. Kristen had topped the dress with a beige denim jacket.
“What a great outfit. Should I wear a dress?” Donna asked.
“No you look fine,” Kristen said. “In Flagstaff, anything goes. Jeans are okay almost everywhere, but sometimes I like to dress up. Are you ready to go?”
Kristen led Donna through the kitchen and laundry room into the garage. Once again, Donna stopped in surprise. Kristen was opening the door of what appeared to be a giant blue egg.
Kristen laughed at Donna’s reaction. “Haven’t you ever seen a Smart car before?”
“Not up close,” Donna admitted. She walked around the car. “It’s so cute. But maybe we should take the jeep. There is no room in there for you to bring home your presents.”
“Don’t worry; Matt is bringing his truck afterward to carry everything home. Hop in.”
The interior of the Smart car was surprisingly roomy for two people. Kristen expertly maneuvered the car through traffic. Whenever she stopped at a traffic light, people would wave, and Kristen would cheerfully wave back.
The neighborhood where they finally found themselves had cars parked all along the street. Kristen found a parking space already partially occupied by a Vespa scooter chained to a two hour parking sign. She easily pulled into the other half of the parking spot.
Jen’s house turned out to be an adorable sixties A-frame. The siding was a silvery gray, with glossy black on all the trim. Rocking chairs and two dining tables, one topped with a large umbrella, anchored a large deck out front. Two large pots containing an exuberant mix of flowers flanked the candy-apple red door.
At Kristen’s knock, the door flew open. “Kristen!” Jen grabbed her in a welcoming hug. A puppy ran from the back of the house barking. “Hush, Herc. How did you get out?” Jen picked up the puppy. “Come in. Donna, good to see you again.” Jen gave her a one armed hug.
Kristen raised her eyebrows. “You two know each other?”
“We met this afternoon. I’ll tell you about it later.” Jen eyes twinkled at Donna. “Make yourselves comfortable while I put this guy away. The others should be here soon.”
Inside, the A-frame was painted a soft sage green. A forest green sofa faced a large river-stone fireplace. The sofa pillows were made of remnants of Native American and Middle Eastern wool blankets and rugs. Two comfortable leather chairs flanked the couch. Several folding chairs and an easel had been set up in the area.
On the other side of the house was the kitchen, separated from the living room by a long wooden table. Instead of upper cabinets, rows of open shelving ran around the walls. The same talent for display shown in Jen’s shop came through in the arrangement of pottery, baskets, and glassware on her kitchen shelves. The dining chairs were mismatched but all painted a creamy white. The table was set for eight and held three fondue pots. Donna could smell melting cheese and chocolate. An open door at the back of the room revealed a small bedroom currently empty expect for a large cardboard box labeled “crib.” A steep staircase, almost a ladder, led up to an overhead sleeping loft.
Someone knocked at the door. “I’ll get it,” Kristen called to Jen.
“Thanks, Kris.” Jen’s muffled voice came from the door at the end of the kitchen, probably a laundry room.
Kristen opened the door to a slim, blond woman beautifully dressed in a midnight blue silk pantsuit. A lovely scarf in silvery shades of blue hugged her elegant neck. Her hair was carefully arranged in layers framing her classic face. “Rebecca, you made it!”
“Kristen, darling.” After planting air kisses above both of Kristen’s cheeks, Rebecca glided into the room.
“Rebecca, I’d like you to meet Donna Zimmer. Rebecca is Matt’s mother.”
The woman turned to Donna. Up close, Donna could see a few lines in the corners of her brilliant blue eyes, but she was remarkably young looking. “Donna, I’ve been hearing all about you,” she gushed. “Matthew tells me that you came to help Kristen out with the wedding and you’re helping him with some little business problem too. That is so generous of you.”
“I am glad to help,” Donna said. “It is nice to meet you Mrs. Arlyn.”
“Oh honey, I’m Rebecca. I haven’t been Mrs. Arlyn in years. Matt’s father took off before he was even born.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
Rebecca waved her hand. “Nothing to be sorry about. I’ve had two husbands since then, but I’m back to my maiden name. At least for now.” She winked.
By this time, Jen had returned. “Rebecca, I’d like you to meet my friend Jen,” Kristen said.
Rebecca turned her gaze to Jen. “I am happy to meet you, darling. I’m so impressed with your wonderful little dollhouse in the woods. Your flowers out front are just exquisite. How lovely of you to have Kristen’s shower here. Oh, my goodness, you’re expecting. When is the baby due? Do you know if it is a boy or a girl? Have you decided on a name yet?”
Jen looked a little shell-shocked. “Thanks. I’m glad to meet you too. We decided not to know the sex in advance, and the baby is due in early September.”
“Where is Jared tonight?” Kristen asked Jen.
“He’s safely out at a friend’s house watching basketball,” Jen said. “I don’t think he could survive the level of estrogen here.”
A knock on the door signaled the arrival of four more young women, all together. Jen introduced them as Jessica, Steph, Danielle, and Kim. Kim was enormously pregnant. After greetings, hugs, and introductions they all settled into the living room area.
“Kristen, I haven’t seen you in years,” Steph exclaimed. “I didn’t even know you were back in Flagstaff until Jen told me.”
“I know, it has been ages. I’ve been back about a year. Sorry I didn’t get in touch, but things have been so hectic.”
“Oh, I know. I’ve hardly seen any of you girls in months. It is hard to believe when we spent so much time together in high school.”
“So Kim, when are you due?’ Kristen asked.
“Yesterday, but she’s being stubborn. I can hardly wait to be able to take a full breath again.”
“Is this your first?” Rebecca asked.
“No, I have a little boy, Evan, who is two. This one is a girl.”
“One of each, how lovely,” Rebecca exclaimed.
“Let’s get this shower started,” Jen said. “Okay, this may be lame, but I found some bridal shower games to play. First is Bridal Pictionary. We play just like the regular game, but I made different cards, which all have to do with weddings. Let’s divide up into two teams.”
Soon the group was giggling their way around the Pictionary board. “Oh that’s a man, and now a big woman next to the man,” Danielle talked as Jessica drew. “They are holding hands, she’s his mother.”
“Mother of the Groom!” Steph shouted.
“Right!” Jessica said.
“I beg your pardon. The mother of the groom is not a big woman,” Rebecca said in mock indignation.
After the games, they shifted to the dining table for fondue. “There is no beer or wine in any of the fondues, so Kim, feel free to partake,” Jen said.
Soon Jen and Kim were deep in conversation about birth and babies with Rebecca egging them on. Jessica, Steph, and Danielle were comparing notes on their recent vacations. Donna watched Kristen dip a bread cube in the cheese fondue and pretend to be listening to Steph’s tale of woe about stepping on a jellyfish on a Mexican beach.
Donna r
ealized that, thanks to Kristen’s time in college and the Peace Corps, she had grown away from her childhood friends. With no parents and few close friends, it was no wonder Kristen was so dependant on Matt.
After dinner, they moved back into the living room to open presents. The first was a hand-made birdhouse in a Craftsman style similar to Kristen’s house. “Steph, this is beautiful. Thank you. Where did you find it?”
“I got it at a crafts fair. I’m glad you like it.”
“I love it.” Kristen continued opening presents, exclaiming over each one. She unwrapped the white and silver box. “This nightgown is beautiful.” Kristen stood and held it up against her. She looked at the label. “Jen it is one of yours! But you already got me the pottery.”
“It is not from me; it’s from Donna. She came into the shop today.”
“When I saw it I couldn’t resist,” Donna said.
“Thank you so much, Donna,” Kristen said.
“Be careful, darling,” Rebecca warned. “When you wear that, Matthew will never be able to keep his hands off you.”
Kristen blushed, hurriedly reaching for the last package, a large gift bag.
“That one is from me,” Rebecca said. “It’s edible panties.”
“Rebecca!” Kristen went scarlet.
“Just kidding, honey. This is something that first belonged to Matthew’s grandmother.”
Kristen opened the bag and pulled out a tissue-wrapped bundle. Inside was an antique quilt in shades of yellow, orange, and brown. “Oh, Rebecca, I love it.”
Rebecca helped Kristen spread out the quilt so that she could see the pattern. “It’s called a double wedding ring. The women of the family got together and made it for my mother, Sarah, for her hope chest. She passed it on to me and now it is yours. Maybe someday you and Matthew will have a daughter of your own to pass it along to.”
“Oh I hope so,” Kristen breathed. “Thank you Rebecca.” She hugged her future mother-in-law.
Donna noticed that Kim was rubbing her belly and looking uncomfortable. “Are you all right?’ she whispered.
“Just a little contraction. Probably Braxton-Hicks,” Kim said. “I’ve been having a few tonight.” She took a few deep breaths through her nose. “Although, I have to admit, that one was stronger.”
“Sorry to break up the party, but I think we’d better get Kim home,” Danielle said. “I don’t want any babies born in my Honda.”
With a helping hand from Danielle and Donna, Kim was able to tip herself off the couch and onto her feet. After a chorus of thank-yous and well wishes, Jen, Kristen, Donna, and Rebecca were left alone.
“I sent Matt a text that we’re ready for him to come help with the gifts,” Kristen said. “Jen, that was the best shower ever. Thank you so much.”
“I was happy to do it,” Jen said. “I’m just so glad that you’re here so I can see you in person instead of just reading your monthly updates on Facebook. I missed you.”
Before long footsteps could be heard on the deck and Jen opened the door. “Matt, come in.”
“Jen, I don’t know if you have met my uncle, Blake Russell,” Matt said.
Ah, the elusive uncle. Donna turned from picking up gift-wrap. She froze, her jaw dropping.
The uncle stopped mid-handshake to stare at her too. He was the man from the park! The one with the disobedient dog.
“It’s you,” Donna said, not taking her eyes away.
Blake finished greeting Jen and stepped toward Donna, his bright blue eyes never leaving her face. “Hello.” He took her hand as if to shake it, but instead covered it with his other hand. “It’s good to see you again.”
“How do you two know each other?” Rebecca asked.
“We don’t really,” Blake said, smiling at Donna, his dimple putting in an appearance. “We just met in the park yesterday but didn’t introduce ourselves. I’m Blake Russell.”
“Donna Zimmer. I’m glad to formally meet you.” She smiled. “How is Sally?”
Blake looked troubled. “Actually, she seems a little off tonight. I may have taken her too far yesterday on our run.”
“Blake,” Rebecca called, “Come look at all these lovely things.”
Blake smiled again at Donna before releasing her hand and following his sister to the couch. “Isn’t that our mother’s wedding quilt?” he asked.
“Yes, I passed it on to Kristen.”
“I’m glad.” He put his arm around Kristen’s shoulders and gave her a hug. “Mother would have been pleased.”
“Look at this adorable birdhouse…”
Donna watched from across the room. Blake Russell. She had expected a Type-A businessman, always hustling the next deal. This man with the gentle touch who took his old dog running and cared about family quilts was completely unexpected. Donna began to carry the dishes into the kitchen.
When Donna turned for another look at Blake, he was watching her. She dropped her eyes for a moment before glancing back at him. Blake had shifted his attention, and now Rebecca was looking at him thoughtfully.
Donna continued to help Jen tidy up as the others packed the gifts out to Matt’s truck. She and Kristen finished clearing the table while Jen loaded the dishwasher.
After all the gifts were loaded, Rebecca took her leave in a flurry of air kisses and thanks. While Jen was occupied with Rebecca, Blake took Donna aside.
“I understand that you’ve been working with Matt on his books. We need to talk about that.”
Donna nodded. “I made an appointment with your receptionist for tomorrow morning.”
“I know. I’ll see you in the morning. Good night Donna.”
“Good night.” She watched until he was out the door. She continued staring at the door, not seeing, until Kristen broke her reverie.
“Ready to go Donna? Jen, this was the best ever. Thank you so much. Tell Jared thanks for letting us take over the house.”
Donna echoed Kristen’s praise as they left. They were quiet as they began the drive home, each lost in her thoughts. After a while, Donna began to notice their surroundings. Their headlights were cutting through the night, but everything around them was hidden in the gloom. “Why is it so dark?”
“Flagstaff is a low-light city. There are minimal streetlights and they are shielded so the light only goes down. It has to do with avoiding light pollution because of the planetarium.”
“I didn’t realize you had a planetarium here.”
“It’s been here forever. It is right up the hill behind town. You should visit sometime.”
“I should. I love looking at the stars.”
“Get Blake to take you. He knows all about astronomy. He went with Matt and me once and I was amazed at what he showed us.”
“Hmm.” Donna was noncommittal. “I’ll be pretty busy in the next couple of days.”
“Have you found anything?” Kristen’s voice was suddenly sharp.
“Nothing definite, I’m afraid. I got the financial records but haven’t had time to study them yet. But Kristen, it’s not just an overlooked payment. Something is definitely wrong.”
Kristen shook her head. “I was afraid of that.”