Annie's Rainbow - Fern Michaels [89]
Annie’s heart thumped in her chest. It was coming apart, closing in on her. How long would it take for the noose to fall down around her neck? She swigged from the long-necked beer bottle, hoping she presented a picture of nonchalance. “I guess we’ll worry about that when the time comes. I’m out on my feet, Tom. We can talk tomorrow. How long are you staying?”
“I’m heading home in the morning.”
“I might go to California with Jane to help her if she needs me. Do you think it will be okay to leave the dogs with Elmo?”
“He’d have a fit if you don’t. It’s business as usual where he’s concerned. Don’t let him see you cave in, Annie.”
“I’ll try, Tom. God, what will we do without him?”
“I honest to God don’t know, Annie. If Jane comes back, it might all work. Say good night, Gracie,” he said fondly.
“Okay. Good night, Gracie.”
Annie laughed all the way up the steps to the second floor, the shepherds bounding along ahead of her.
She stopped to peek in at Jane, who was sleeping soundly. She turned off the light and closed the door.
It was all going to work out. She had to believe that.
“Like they really get ice water in hell,” she muttered.
“It’s a pretty house, Jane. I like your flower beds. They remind me of a rainbow,” Annie said as she stared at the sprawling ranch-style house with its multipaned windows.
“Daisy likes to weed the garden, then she picks me a bouquet. She hasn’t done that for a long time now. I can’t wait for you to see your godchild. She’s gotten taller and seems to be all legs, and she has these wonderful, big dark eyes. She’s too thin, though. Smart as a whip, her teachers say. Lately, her grades have gone down alarmingly. We might as well get to it, Annie.”
“Are you sure you’re ready for this? It doesn’t have to be today.” .
“Yes, it has to be today. I need your backbone. Having you here with me gives me the courage to do what I should have done two years ago. I just didn’t have the guts.”
“Then let’s pack up your stuff.”
“Kind of like that last day in Boston. Boy, we were hyped that day. We had the rest of our lives in front of us. Those checks from Elmo made all the difference in the world back then. God, I wish I could turn back the clock, Annie.”
“You can’t unring the bell. What are you going to do about the house?” .
“Nothing. There’s no equity left. Bob took it all out. Let him worry about it. I just want Daisy’s and my things. It shouldn’t take us long. There isn’t that much.”
There isn’t that much. Annie wondered what that meant exactly. She found out soon enough. Jane’s wardrobe was skimpy, her art supplies just as skimpy. Daisy’s toys were old, battered, and worn. There was no sign of Barbie gear, a bicycle or scooter, or any of the things most little girls had. Her clothes were worn, mended, and faded.
“Jane, why didn’t you tell me? You must know I would have helped you. I need to know why you lived like this.”
“You were so successful. I didn’t want you to know. Shame is a terrible thing, Annie. How could I have been so wrong about Bob?”
“You were in love. That’s as good an explanation as any I can come up with. I want to be sure that you’re sure you don’t want to try the counseling route.”
“Look at me, Annie. I lied to you. I did go. It didn’t help. If anything, it just made me more miserable. I feel like I betrayed our friendship.” I .
“I kind of feel that way, too, but I think we can fix it. When are you going to tell Bob you’re leaving?”
“I wasn’t going to tell him. Old habits die real hard, Annie,. I was just going to take the easy way out and leave with Daisy. When he comes home, he’ll figure it out. If anything, he’ll probably be relieved.”
“What’s wrong with face-to-face? If you don’t face him down, this is going to hang over you for the rest of your life. If you and your daughter are going to start over, you need to do it with a clean slate. Call him up and ask him to come home. Wait till we’re done packing, and