Vegas Heat (25 page)

Fanny did her best to focus on the man standing in her kitchen. “Sallie would never have let it get this far. I’m like Sallie sometimes. For a long time I wanted her to be perfect. She wasn’t. I’m not either. That’s a perfect-looking turkey. Do you think this coffee will make me sick? I only got drunk once in my life. Me and Sallie.”

Marcus Reed chuckled. “What was the question again?”

“I don’t know. Can’t you remember?”

“No. Did you make these pies?”

“Every last one,” Fanny said proudly.

“I think things are under control. What time would you and Miss Daisy like to dine?”

Fanny tossed her hands in the air. “Are you joining us?”

“If you would like me to, then I’d be honored.”

“What should we do now?” Fanny asked.

“I think you should take a nap. I’ll watch the football game and the turkey.”

“That doesn’t . . . seem . . . proper. I hardly know you,” Fanny sniffed.

“Isn’t that strange? I feel like I’ve known you forever.”

Fanny could feel the bile swishing around in her stomach. “You shouldn’t be around me. My family doesn’t like anyone I . . . never mind. It isn’t important.”

“Would you like to talk about it, Fanny? I’m a good listener.”

“No. Everyone says that, then they judge you. No thanks. I think I will take a nap. Do you promise to watch the turkey?”

“I promise,” Marcus said solemnly.

Fanny’s voice turned crafty. “Why should I believe you?”

“Because I’m a man of my word.”

“Oh. You have lovely taste in shoes, Marcus. Will you call me when dinner is ready?”

“Absolutely Do you want me to answer the phone if it rings and if so, what should I say?”

Fanny teetered over to where Marcus stood. “Do you want to hear something sad, Marcus? No one calls me anymore. I do all the calling. All my life I tried to live by the Golden Rule. I always put everyone else first. Myself last. This is what it got me. I live with a little dog. I have two friends. That’s it. That’s the story of my life. It’s sad, isn’t it?”

Marcus smiled. “Yes. But things will change. When things look the darkest, a light suddenly appears.”

“I think you’re wrong.”

“Why don’t we talk about it after you’ve had a nap?”

“If anyone calls and their names are Ash or Simon tell them . . . tell them—”

“Yes?”

“Tell them to go to hell.”

“Yes, ma’am, I can do that.” Marcus turned to hide his smile.

“I love these sneakers.”

Marcus threw back his head and roared with laughter. Fanny sniffed as she tottered down the hall to her bedroom, Daisy behind her. Inside her bedroom, she locked the door. She looked across the room to where the bed was. It was much too far. “Get me a pillow, Daisy.” A moment later she was sound asleep.

“Simon, Ash here. I called to wish you a happy Thanksgiving and to ask you what in the goddamn hell you’re doing to Fanny. She’s spending Thanksgiving alone with her dog. Even I have to admit that’s pretty sad. I talked to her today, and she told me you gave her an ultimatum. You don’t ever give Fanny an ultimatum. Are you just going to write her off because she won’t do what you want when you want it done? That’s how you train a dog, not a wife.”

“Mind your own business, Ash. This is all your doing, you and that fucking casino. If it wasn’t for you, Fanny would be here with me now.”

“I didn’t twist her arm, Simon. Fanny has loyalty, something you and I don’t have. Yes, I traded on that loyalty Let me tell you, she’s doing a hell of a job.”

“For what? So you can die happy?”

“That’s a low blow, even from you. I like to think it’s my legacy I wanted Mom to be proud of me the way you wanted Pop to be proud of you. Don’t give me that shit that you saw a shrink and came to terms with things. You didn’t any more than I did. Face it, Simon, we’re both misfits, you in your way and me in mine. The only difference between us is you wore a three-piece suit. At least I look it in the face and admit to my screwups. Fanny told me she loved you so much she ached. That’s a hell of a testimonial, little brother. I personally don’t give a shit what you do. What I do give a shit about is Fanny’s happiness. She deserves better. I know she’s going to sell the casino when I’m gone. You must know it, too. Couldn’t you have given her the year? Even two if I make it that long. Oh, no, that interfered with that new life of yours. You blew it. That fucking silence of yours, that withdrawal you use as a weapon won’t play with Fanny. One last thing, don’t come to my funeral. I’m leaving instructions with the kids if you show up they’re to boot your ass all the way down the mountain. In other words, Simon, kiss my ass. It’s beyond me what Fanny ever saw in you. Enjoy the rest of the day.”

Okay, Fanny, that’s all I can do. The rest is up to him.

“I guess my dinner was a bit of a disaster,” Sunny said.

“It wasn’t that bad,” Iris said generously.

“Mom always made a great Thanksgiving turkey,” Billie said. “Remember how we’d eat off the leftovers for days and days? The stuffing was almost better than the turkey. You should have invited her, Sunny.”

“No, I shouldn’t have. Why didn’t you cook dinner and invite her? Or you, Iris?”

“I was going to, but you invited us first. Sage and I thought you were inviting your mother. It was a slap in the face, Sunny Does anyone know where Fanny was having dinner today?”

“She was home by herself,” Ash said. “She told me she was cooking dinner for her and Daisy. She said she had invitations but elected to stay home.”

“Oh my God,” Billie said. “Mom was always the first one to invite people so they wouldn’t be alone on Thanksgiving. Grandma Sallie used to do the same thing.”

“So now it’s all my fault,” Sunny cried.

“Since it was your dinner and your invitation list, I’d say so. What kind of family dinner did you expect with Birch and Mom missing from the table?” Sage grated.

“This was supposed to be a family dinner where everyone smiles and gets along. At least I tried.”

“You aren’t Mom, so don’t try and pretend you are. Mom is what holidays are all about. Don’t even think about asking me for Christmas,” Billie said as she started to clear the table.

“Me either,” Sage said. “Iris and I are going to her sister’s house.”

“So go,” Sunny yelled as she stumbled from the table.

Ash stared at his son and daughter. “This isn’t good for her.”

“She’s stupid. Did she really think this was going to be a fun day?” Sage growled.

“Yes, she did.”

“Guess she was wrong. You know what, I feel like shit,” Sage said.

“Me too,” Billie said. “I was hoping Birch would call. I guess he won’t since it’s later in England if he’s still there. Maybe he called Mom. Birch was always good about the holidays. I’m going to help with the dishes, and I’m leaving.”

“I’ll help,” Iris said.

“Don’t bother. Dad and I will clear up. Jake likes to carry in the plates. If you have someplace to go, feel free to leave. I’m sorry this wasn’t what you all expected.”

“You need to get those marbles out of your head and grow up. This is the real world we’re walking around in,” Sage said.

“That’s enough, Sage,” Ash said, reaching for his arm.

“Now why did I know you were going to say that? It might be a good idea to get Sunny some counseling or a shrink. Get her something, for God’s sake, before she goes off the deep end. My advice is to stop babying her.” Sage turned on his heel, scooped Jake onto his shoulder pretending to be a horse shouting, “Giddy-up, pardner.” The little boy squealed in delight.

“You’re leaving?” Sunny said, her face full of outrage.

“Under the circumstances . . .” Iris said.

“I thought we’d play some cards or something.”

Sage set Jake on his father’s lap. “No, we’re leaving. Maybe we’ll stop and see Mom and wish her a happy Thanksgiving.”

“That’s an idea,” Billie said, shrugging into her coat.

“I think that’s a good idea. I want to tell her about the baby,” Iris beamed.

“Say hello for me,” Ash said.

“Little shits,” Sunny said when the door closed behind her guests.

“Little shits,” Jake mimed her.

Ash flinched at the sound of the slap the little boy took to his bottom. He reached for him and held him close. “Sunny, if you strike this child again, I will personally call Tyler and tell him you’re being abusive. Do we understand each other?”

Sunny fled the room as Ash crooned to the little boy, stroking his head. “It’s okay, it’s okay, Jake. Let’s take a ride in the elevator and guess who gets to push the button. But first we have to check on Polly.”

“Hers sleeping.”

“I know. We’re going to check to see if she’s sucking her thumb.”

“I loves you, Pop Pop.”

“I love you too, Jake.”
Now I know what Fanny means when she says she loves so much it hurts. Now I know. Now, when it’s too late.

Marcus Reed wandered around the comfortable living room. He stopped to look at family pictures, touching a knickknack, leafed through a book. This place might be an apartment but it was a home in every sense of the word. He tried on Fanny’s reading glasses and winced. They smelled powdery.

He wandered back to the kitchen. He sniffed appreciatively. If he ever got this dinner on the table, it would be a miracle. The clock said 7:10. He was trying to decide if he should wake his hostess when the phone rang. He picked it up after the second ring.

“I’d like to speak to Fanny.”

“Fanny isn’t available at the moment. Would you care to leave a message?”

“Who is this?”

“Who are you?”

“This is Simon Thornton, and I asked you who you were.”

“I’m Marcus Reed, a friend of Fanny’s. If you care to hold on, I’ll wake her.”

“You’ll wake her. Why is she sleeping? It’s only seven o’clock.”

“Earlier, Fanny wasn’t feeling all that well. Please, hold on.”

Marcus walked down the hall to Fanny’s room. He assumed it was her room because the other bedroom doors stood open. He rapped sharply. “Fanny, you have a telephone call. It’s Simon Thornton.” When there was no response he rapped again, this time louder. Daisy barked furiously. “Fanny, can you hear me? You have a telephone call.”

“Yes. Yes, thank you. I’ll take it in here.”

Marcus walked back to the kitchen. As much as he wanted to hear the conversation, he replaced the receiver in the cradle. He turned knobs on the stove. Dinner was finally under way. He sat down at the table with a cup of coffee to wait for his hostess.

Fanny picked up the phone, her tongue thick in her mouth. “What is it, Simon?”

“I thought I might drive down to Vegas tonight.”

“Thanksgiving is over, Simon.”

“I guess we need to talk.”

“No, I don’t think we do. I have a job to do here, Simon, and I cannot leave. You rejected all my overtures these past four months. Now all of a sudden you want to grace me with your presence. I don’t think so.”

“Who answered the phone? He said you weren’t feeling well.”

“Actually, Simon, that was a polite way of saying I was drunk and sleeping it off. Mr. Reed is a . . . friend of mine. He stopped by to finish cooking dinner for me and Daisy because I was too drunk to do it. Is there anything else you want to know?”

“Now you’re telling me you don’t want me to come there after begging me for four months.”

“I don’t take kindly to ultimatums. Look, I think we both need to cool down a little. We’ll talk another time.”

“When?”

“When? When I decide, Simon. You’ve managed to keep me on a string for four months. Don’t expect me to rush to any quick decisions. I’m going to hang up now.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t bother calling me at all.”

“Maybe I shouldn’t.”

“Ash said you would do this.”

“What does Ash have to do with this?”

“He called me today and told me off. He also told me not to attend his funeral.”

“Well guess what, Simon, Ash told me a lot of things about you, too. I’m thinking about those things right now, and the more I think about them, the more I’m starting to believe them. Good-bye, Simon.” Fanny broke the connection. She waited a moment before she picked up the phone again. When she heard the dial tone, she stuffed the receiver under her pillow.

Fanny stared at herself in the bathroom mirror. Holy Mother of God! Who was this person staring at her? She clenched her teeth until she realized she had to pry them apart in order to brush. She gargled, washed her face, slapped on some powder, and brushed her hair.

She was halfway down the hallway when the doorbell rang. Thinking it was Bess, she didn’t bother to hurry, since each step she took thumped its way to her head. When she entered the living room, she saw Marcus Reed open the front door.

Fanny shrank back against the wall.

She almost fainted when Marcus came up to her and said, “Your children are here. Look, I don’t know what’s going on. You look as miserable as they do. If I may make a suggestion, invite them to dinner. Don’t make apologies, and smile even if it kills you. Can you do that, Fanny?”

“Yes. Yes, I can do that. Thank you. Thank you very much.”

“Okay, stiffen those legs and forget the headache hammering behind your eyes. You have lovely eyes you know. Your children are lucky to have someone like you. Sometimes young people don’t see what’s right under their noses. Just be their mother and everything will be fine. Trust me, okay?”

“Okay.”

Fanny did her best to turn an awkward situation into one of comfort. She managed to smile, to hug her children and say kind things while the sledgehammer inside her head pounded away at her temples. “Marcus, I’d like you to meet my daughter Billie, my daughter-in-law Iris, and my son Sage. This is Marcus Reed. Of course you all know Daisy. Please, come in and tell me what you think of my ... new digs.”

“It’s hard to believe,” Billie said, her face registering awe. “Did Aunt Billie do it?” Fanny nodded.

“Would anyone like a drink?”

“I’d like a beer,” Sage said. He tried not to stare at the tall, handsome man who seemed so at ease in his mother’s apartment.

“Nothing for me,” Iris said.

“Coke,” Billie said.

“Entertain your children, Fanny I’ll get the drinks.” Fanny nodded, amused at the curiosity in her children’s eyes.

“Would you like to stay for dinner?”

“I sure would,” Billie said. “I was hoping for leftovers. A full dinner sounds wonderful. Aren’t you eating rather late?”

Fanny was about to confess to her afternoon folly when Marcus returned and said smoothly, “I’m afraid it’s my fault. My plane was late getting in.”

“They’re staying for dinner, Marcus.”

“That’s wonderful. Now you won’t have to eat turkey for the next thirty days. You visit, Fanny, and I’ll get the food on the table. I hope you all brought your appetites.”

Not wanting a lapse in the conversation, Fanny said, “Did any of you hear from Birch?”

“Tomorrow he’ll realize it’s Thanksgiving and he’ll call. He’s fine, Mom, trust me on this. Birch just needs to get things in perspective. Near-death experiences affect people differently. He’ll be home before you know it. Mom, Iris and I have something to tell you. We stopped by twice yesterday, but you were out. It’s not the kind of thing you announce on the phone, and we didn’t want to leave a note. Iris is pregnant.”

“Oh, Sage, how wonderful!” Fanny said, pretending not to know the good news. “Iris, you must be so happy. Will you allow me to make the layette?”

“Of course. I got some experience today holding Polly. She’s a very good baby Would you like to see a picture of her? We took some Polaroids today.”

“Yes, yes I would.” Fanny’s eyes burned as she stared at the pictures of her grandchildren. “They’re beautiful. I’m sure every grandmother says that.”

“Jake is a piece of work. He’s all boy. He’s got Dad wrapped. Dad says Jake gets out of bed at night and sleeps with him. I don’t know how long that will last because Jake wets the bed. Dad thought it was funny.” Fanny smiled.

Fanny handed back the pictures.

“If you like, you can keep them,” Iris said.

“Thank you. Yes, I would like that very much.”

“You could go up there, Mom. You might want to think about it before Sunny gets it into her head to put those gates back up. She mumbled something about it today.”

“I can’t do that. Where I’m concerned, it’s by invitation only. I understand her feelings, and I have to respect them. Sunny will do what she feels she has to do. Is she all right?”

“Hell, no, she’s not all right. I don’t want to talk about Sunny, Mom. How’s Uncle Simon?” Sage asked.

“I’m afraid I can’t answer that, Sage. I haven’t seen him in four months. He did call today though. Just a little while ago, as a matter of fact.”

“Dinner’s ready,” Marcus said from the dining-room doorway

He looks like he belongs here
. Evidently her children were of the same opinion.

“God, real food,” Sage said, folding his hands. He said grace, his eyes on the turkey

“I’d say we made a serious dent in this bird,” Marcus said an hour later, pushing back his chair. “Would anyone like food to go? I saw some aluminum trays that would be perfect for one more complete meal for each of you.”

“I’m your man,” Sage said.

“I’m your girl,” Billie smiled.

“I’m eating for two now, so fill my tray,” Iris said.

“You ladies sit here and Mr. Reed and I will clear up,” Sage said. “I’ll wash. You dry This is Mom’s good stuff, so be careful. It all belonged to my grandmother Sallie.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Marcus said. Fanny noticed the twinkle in his eyes. For some reason she felt flustered

“Who is he, Mom?” Billie asked.

“A friend. A friend who got me through a very bad day.”

“Mom, we didn’t know for certain that you weren’t invited until we got to Sunrise. It was awful. I couldn’t wait to leave. Sage and Iris felt the same way.”

“Sunny’s going through a bad time. You need to be tolerant.”

“Mom, it has nothing to do with her condition. It’s that thing with you and her. She
will
put the gates up.”

“Then she puts the gates up. It won’t be the end of the world.”

“How is the casino business?” Iris asked. “Later on I’ll think about making an appointment with Madam Sarika to tell me if I’m going to have a boy or a girl.”

“You don’t
really
want to know, do you, honey? That’s one of the best things about giving birth, the surprise at the end. At least I always thought so. You’re married to a twin so there’s a good possibility you might have twins.”

“I would love to have twins,” Iris gushed. “I’d like to have a little boy that looks like Sage and a little girl that looks like me.”

Fanny smiled. “Will you go back to work?”

Iris shrugged.

“Ah, December, the most wonderful time of the year. I have to start thinking about decorations for the casino. I have meetings scheduled all week with decorators who specialize in such things. I didn’t even know there were companies like that. Running this casino is an education in itself.”

“Mom, do you remember that play village I made when I was ten or so?” Billie asked. Fanny nodded. “What if we shut down Rainbow Babies and Sunny’s Togs for a week and make one like it, life-size. We could set it up outside in the hanging gardens. Chue can take the plants out, store them, and after New Year’s he can replant them. Sage is great with a hammer and nails.”

“I can sew,” Iris said. “I can do the elves. Children will love it. Since I’m on a leave of absence I have a lot of free time and I would love to work on this.”

“We could have it ready for the first of December,” Billie said.

“Honey, that’s only a week away.”

“We can do it, Mom. We need a Christmas tree, a really big one like they have in New York.”

“I went to school with a girl whose father owns a Christmas tree farm in Oregon. I’ll call her when we get home. Oh, this is so exciting! I just love this family. You’re all so interesting,” Iris trilled.

Fanny laughed.

“We need to get on our sticks. Sage!” Billie bellowed. “Let’s go. We have business to take care of.
NOW!
”

Sage and Marcus came on the run.

Fanny watched Marcus’s face as her children started talking all at once. His head bobbed from side to side as Billie and Iris chattered like runaway trains.

“Are you honest to God saying I finally get to use my carpentry skills after all these years? Yahoo!” Sage boomed. “One week is cutting it pretty close. We can do it. Jesus, I wish Birch was here. He’d get a kick out of this. Marcus, do you know anything about carpentry?”

“I worked summers in construction to put myself through college. Are you requesting my help?”

“Well, hell yes. Do you think you can handle it?”

“Sage . . . Marcus . . . where are your manners, Sage?”

“At the table, Mom. You always said to leave them there. Where are we going to do this?”

“How about calling Red Ruby and asking her if we can do it at the ranch. She’s got all those barns and stuff. It won’t interfere with her . . . ah, business.”

“Are you referring to the famous”—Marcus cleared his throat—“establishment?”

“Yeah, that’s the one.” Sage grinned. “My grandmother set her up out there. She always gives us a Christmas present. She was in love with my grandfather.”

“Sage! How do you know that?” Fanny demanded.

“She told me. She loved Grandma Sallie, so she never, ah, you know.”

“Good Lord,” Fanny muttered.

“It’s settled then. Mom’s going to take care of the inside, with those companies she’s meeting with, and we’re going to do the outside. Are you helping, Mr. Reed?” Billie asked.

“What time should I report for work?” Marcus asked smartly as he slapped the dish towel over his shoulder. “I’m afraid I didn’t bring the proper attire with me.”

Fanny grew light-headed when Marcus winked at her.

“We can outfit you right now, right here. I’ll call downstairs and have them send up some stuff. Is that okay with you?”

Marcus shrugged.

“Mom, there’s no dial tone.”

“Oh. The receiver’s under the pillow in my room.”

“I’ll put it back on the hook,” Iris said.

“I don’t suppose you want to tell us why the receiver is under your pillow,” Sage said.

“That’s right. I don’t. Marcus, you don’t have to do this.”

“I would like to do it. I can take care of my business in the evening. Most of it is entertaining anyway.”

“I’m afraid not. This project will be around the clock. You can back out now if you want to,” Sage said.

“I’m a man of my word. It won’t be a problem. The more I think about it, the more the idea appeals to me.”

“Okay, we’re out of here. I’ll pick you up by the front door at six-thirty. Are you staying here?”

“No. I’ll be ready.”

“Night, Mom, the dinner was swell.”

“Don’t forget your leftovers,” Fanny said, hugging her children.

When the door closed behind her children, Fanny stared helplessly at Marcus. “I don’t know what to say. They really did put you on the spot. How do I thank you for all you did today?”

“I enjoyed every minute of it. How do you feel?”

“I have a monster headache.”

Marcus handed Fanny the dish towel. He shrugged into his jacket, straightened his tie just as the doorbell rang. Fanny smiled as he inspected his new working attire, right down to the yellowish brown boots.

“I’ll say good night. I would say thank you for inviting me, but then I invited myself. It was a wonderful day You have very nice children, Fanny. I think I envy you.”

“What you see isn’t always the way things are, Marcus.” Her voice was so sad Marcus stared at her longer than he intended. He nodded to show he understood.

“If your children give me a dinner hour, would you join me?”

Fanny laughed. “Forget the dinner hour. When they get immersed in a project, they gobble donuts on the run. I’ll bring out some food around six o’clock. We can have a picnic. You realize you aren’t getting paid for this, don’t you?” She could hear Marcus laughing all the way to the elevator.

For the first time in months, Fanny looked forward to waking in the morning. She hurried through her duties in the office, tidied the apartment, cooked, and made two trips a day to Red Ruby’s with baskets laden with food. She knew she was in the way, but she didn’t care. She loved watching her children create things, loved watching Marcus Reed’s rippling muscles as he worked alongside her son.

On the third day, Marcus groaned when he saw Fanny approach with the heavy basket. “If it’s turkey again, I quit.”

“It’s not turkey. It’s pastrami on rye with real deli pickles and lots of mustard.”

“In that case, I’ll stay. Sage and I were just talking about opening our own construction business. He only banged his thumb thirty times.”

“I don’t think either one of you should quit your day jobs.” Fanny laughed.

“I’m of the same opinion. I never would have believed this if I wasn’t right here on the scene. That little-bitty matchstick thing stuck on a piece of cardboard is now something to take notice of. I’m anxious to see what it looks like when it gets painted with all the Christmas colors. You must be very proud of your daughter, Fanny. I was married once but never had children. I suppose it was a good thing because the marriage didn’t last.”

“I’m sorry When all else fails, when things don’t go right, you can always count on family to get over the trouble spots. It isn’t always a constant in one’s life, but it should be.”

“Where will you be this Christmas, Fanny?”

“At the casino. Would you like to join us? Don’t feel you have to, just to be polite. It will probably be just me and Daisy. The kids might stop by. I can’t be sure about anything these days.”

“I can’t think of anything I’d like more. Of course. Do you do the tree, sing carols, drink eggnog, open gifts?”

“The whole nine yards. We do it Christmas Eve. We have a big as in very big dinner first. Sallie always did it that way It was wonderful. She invited everyone she thought might be alone. Sallie was the kindest, gentlest, most wonderful person I’ve ever met. I don’t think she was ever truly happy. Are you happy, Marcus?”

“Define the word happy, Fanny. This is a tremendous sandwich.”

“Well, it’s a wonderful feeling. You can’t wait to get up in the morning and you hate going to sleep at night. It’s that contented feeling that all is right with your world. It’s caring about people who care about you. The sun is brighter, the stars shinier, that kind of thing.”

“Then I guess I’m sort of happy. I like crunchy apples. I’d like to stay and talk, Fanny, but your son cracks a mean whip. He doesn’t much care for cigarette breaks either. He puffs as he works. Thanks for lunch.”

“Isn’t it great, Mom? The tree’s coming late this afternoon. The delivery people are going to set it up. Mom, would it be impossible to shut down Babylon so we can do all this without interruption? I know we’ll lose money, but this stuff is going to bring in people by the drove. How long did the company you hired say their work will take?”

“A day and a half. Sure, we can close down. I’m the boss, remember.”

“We have to cover the front doors and windows. We want this to be an in-your-face, blow-your-socks-off opening. By the way, what’s it costing for the casino?”

“You don’t want to know. We’ll recoup. I’ll have Neal put up signs, and we’ll announce it hourly over the loudspeaker. I have to get back.”

“He’s got a nice tush. For a man his age. Did you notice, Mom?”