She stood up and did a slow turn, like someone modeling the dress in an expensive boutique. Her hair and makeup were as perfect as ever, and she was wearing a dress that always brought her compliments. She had first worn it two years ago at a dinner celebrating her and Daddy’s anniversary. It was a black silk-blend, sheer-insert, fitted Victoria Beckham.
Somehow, despite her depression and rage, Mother held on to her willowy figure. She wasn’t an exercise enthusiast but kept herself so busy around the house that she probably took more steps and burned more calories than women who ran a mile daily.
“You look beautiful, Mother,” I said.
Haylee came in on “beautiful.”
She was also wearing her rose gold Swarovski watch, which had been her anniversary present that night two years ago. I think she saw the way I was staring at it.
“I’m not going to toss out the beautiful things your father bought me. I earned everything, believe me. That would be cutting off your nose to spite your face.” She held her wrist up, displaying the watch. “Consider it premature alimony,” she said, and laughed. “It will impress Mr. Paul.”
Haylee looked stunned. Neither of us had seen Mother this high on anyone, especially another man.
“What does he do?” I asked.
“Oh. He’ll especially appreciate this watch. He owns three jewelry stores in Pennsylvania. Two are in Philadelphia, and one is in Pittsburgh. He’s working on fourth and fifth locations. You’ll like this, too. He plays piano. His mother made him take lessons when he was a child and continue when he was a teenager. He kept it up. Maybe he’ll play something for us.”
“He sounds very nice. Why did he get divorced?” Haylee asked.
Mother widened her smile. “Why do you think?”
We both shook our heads.
“His wife cheated on him. See how much we have in common?”
As if on cue, the doorbell sounded. We really were on a stage, I thought. Everything we and the people around us did seemed to be following a script.
Darren Paul had a bouquet of red roses in his hands. He was taller than Daddy and had a light brown, red-tinted, well-trimmed beard. He was stouter also, and I didn’t think he was nearly as attractive as Daddy, but then again, not many men were. He was smartly dressed in a dark gray suit and a light blue tie. His hair was thicker and longer than I had expected.
“Hi,” he said. “This is a nice location. I always thought about buying something in this area. Oh, for you,” he said, holding out the flowers.
“Oh, how beautiful!” Mother cried, as if she had never seen red roses or been given any flowers. Matt’s had been just as beautiful. “Thank you,” she said, taking them from him. “We’ll put them in water right away. Girls,” she called, and we stepped forward. “I’d like you to meet Mr. Paul.”
“Oh, they should call me Darren,” he said. He had a voice much deeper than Daddy’s and a smile that looked tentative. Daddy was always sure of himself when he met someone new. I imagined I would always compare men with Daddy, especially any men Mother dated.
“I’m Haylee,” Haylee said quickly. “This is my sister, Kaylee.”
“Pleased to meet you,” we both recited in perfect unison, and he looked at Mother to see if this was some sort of rehearsed, clever little amusement. She kept her proud smile.
“Yes, pleased to meet you guys. When your mother said you were identical, she meant identical. But in your case, it’s identical beauty,” he quickly added.
“Thank you,” we recited.
He widened his eyes. I was sure he was wondering if we would say everything together like a chorus.
“Kaylee, would you put these in a vase for us and bring them into the living room? I thought we’d have a cocktail before leaving,” she told Darren.
I took the flowers.
“Perfect,” he said, and followed Mother and Haylee into the living room, complimenting Mother on the house. She immediately went into how it had all fallen on her shoulders, the decorating and the furniture purchases, especially all that was bought for us.
When I brought the vase in, Haylee was sitting on the settee across from Mother and Darren. He must have waited for me before asking any questions, because the moment I entered, he said, “I hear you’re both very good students. Any idea what you want to go for?”
“Go for?” Haylee said.
“What career to pursue,” I said. “No. We both have varied interests right now, and there’s time.”
“Very wise,” he said, nodding.