Джули Салливан - Friends and Strangers

“Will he be depositing it anytime soon?”

“No,” she said.

Elisabeth didn’t elaborate.

She knew he wouldn’t get it, that the wound was deeper than he’d be willing to admit.

“You know, he doesn’t need your permission,” her father said, an absurd threat that she refused to get worked up about.

“Talk to you later,” she said. “Hi to Gloria.”

“Gloria’s gone,” he said.

“What happened?”

He paused, and then, in a voice that sounded amused by itself, said, “I’m afraid I strayed.”

Why was he telling her this, today? Or any time, for that matter.

“I argued that technically it shouldn’t count as a betrayal,” he said.

Elisabeth wanted to say That’s nice, goodbye and slam the phone down, but instead she said, “Why’s that?”

There was an open bottle of champagne on the counter, half full. She took a swig, not bothering with a glass.

“Technically, I wasn’t cheating,” he said. She swore she could hear his grin. “Because. I ask you: Is it possible to cheat with your own wife?”

Elisabeth closed her eyes, took another drink. She didn’t say anything.

“It was your mother,” he said, in case she hadn’t understood. “I had a fling with your mother.”

“Good for you,” she said. “I’d better go, there’s someone at the door.”

“I’m not saying we’re going to get back together, Boo, so we’re clear.”

“Sure, fine. Whatever.”

“Don’t want to get your hopes up. But I’m not saying that we’re not getting back together either. Love is mysterious.”

Andrew walked in then, as she was draining the bottle.

She froze, having been discovered, then grinned.

“Bye, Dad,” Elisabeth said.

She hung up.

“My father’s having an affair with my mother,” she said.

Andrew nodded. “Sounds about right.”

“Does this party suck?” she said.

“It does,” Andrew said. “Want to go hide upstairs?”

“Yes,” she said. “But no. We’d better get out there.”

They reached the back door in time to see the balloon arch pull away from its moorings, skim the cupcake tower, and float up into the sky.

—

When Elisabeth got home from the day-care visit, Nomi was at the kitchen table, reading the paper.

“Remind me to abandon my children more often,” she said. “This is heaven. The light in this room is perfect. It’s so quiet. I could sit here all day.”

“Finally!” Elisabeth said. “Something you like about this place.”

“What do you mean?”

“Yesterday it felt like you were judging everything about our life here and finding it lacking. Which, I get it, this isn’t exactly a world capital. But still.”

“Sorry,” Nomi said. “I was only saying things you’ve said to me a million times. Maybe it’s like how you can make fun of your own family all you want, but someone else does it and you are duty bound to defend your people. It’s kind of sweet. You like it here.”

Her tone was teasing, singsong, as if they were in the fourth grade and she was talking about a boy Elisabeth had a crush on.

“I do not. Well, I like some things.” Elisabeth sighed. “I don’t know how I feel. I think I maybe wanted to impress you.”

“That’s adorable,” Nomi said. “And sad. You don’t have to prove anything to me. Maybe I’m not totally over losing you to this place. But I’ll get there.”

“For the record, you can make fun of my family whenever you want,” Elisabeth said. “I knew my parents wouldn’t come this weekend. But then I went to Sam’s graduation. I saw her parents, her grandparents, the whole gang. I think that might have been part of my thing with her. I wanted what she had, in that way. Sam’s so normal. She comes from this perfect family.”

“How many perfect families do you know?” Nomi said. “Maybe she just hasn’t figured out yet what’s fucked up about hers. Look at you. You do a very convincing impression of a normal person. If I just met you, I’d have no idea your parents are so twisted.”

“Thank you,” Elisabeth said, and she meant it.

The doorbell rang.

“Who’s that?” Nomi said.

“I don’t know.”

“A neighbor coming to borrow a cup of sugar? You don’t think Lassie’s fallen down the well again, do you?”

“Shut up,” Elisabeth called over her shoulder as she went toward the door.

When she opened it, a hugely pregnant Gwen stood there, smiling.

“Is this an okay time?” she said. “I wanted to drop off a gift for Gil. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it yesterday.”

“You didn’t miss much,” Elisabeth said. “Come in. It’s great to see you.”

Gwen followed her into the kitchen.

“Gwen, this is my best friend, Nomi,” Elisabeth said. “She’s visiting from the city.”

“Sorry,” Gwen said. “I should have called first.”

“Sit,” Nomi said. “How far along are you?”

“Six months.”

Gwen sat down across the table from Nomi, her body pouring itself onto the chair.

“I had no idea you were expecting!” Elisabeth said.

“You hadn’t heard? I was positive it must be the talk of the neighborhood.”

“I’m sure it is. But nobody tells me anything.”

Gwen laughed. “So I guess that means you haven’t heard the other part either.”

“What other part?”

“Christopher left me. I’m having this baby alone.”

“What?”

“He’s gone. He got a teaching job at some place you’ve never heard of in Arkansas. I’m pretty sure he took one of his favorite students along for company.”

“No.”

“I can’t believe the Laurels haven’t told everyone in town yet. Don’t hate me, but honestly, I skipped the party yesterday to avoid seeing them.” Gwen inhaled deeply, then released the breath. “One good thing about my marriage ending is I won’t have to go to book club anymore. You probably noticed I didn’t come to the last few. It felt great!”

“Oh no, please don’t leave me,” Elisabeth said. “Though truth be told, I always wondered why you wanted to be a part of that book club.”

“Christopher pushed me to go,” Gwen said. “He said since his coworker’s wife had invited me, it would be rude not to. Turns out he had a standing date with one of his undergrads at our house whenever I was here on Laurel Street.”

“What a bastard,” Nomi said.

“Yeah,” Gwen said.

“But why did you do what he said?” Elisabeth said. “You’re such a badass.”

Gwen laughed.

“I was always the more successful one. I had tenure, he didn’t. So I had to act sometimes like he was the boss. How refreshing not to have to play that game anymore. We were trying to have a baby for so long that I forgot about the two of us. Everyone said that was normal. That fertility stuff is hard on a marriage. Then I got pregnant and realized a baby wasn’t what was missing between us.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s for the best. I can’t imagine raising a child with him.”

Elisabeth wasn’t sure if she should push further, especially with Nomi here.

“I have so much to give you,” she said. “A bassinet, a stroller. Tons of clothes—do you know what you’re having?”

“No. Going to be surprised. Because I haven’t been surprised enough lately. Do you have a pediatrician you like?”

“Dr. Gordon is the best. I’ll give you her number.”

“Thanks. What are your thoughts on swaddling? A friend of mine swears by it, but then I read a story about how it can be bad for the baby’s hips. Sorry, I have way too many questions.”

“I’m so happy to answer them and feel like I know something for once,” Elisabeth said. “I was standing where you are a year ago. You’ll be a pro in no time. You’ll see.”