Making Waves by Catherine Todd

Author:Catherine Todd
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781626818996
Publisher: Diversion Books
Published: 2015-06-25T16:00:00+00:00

Stasis was the enemy of progress. The phone was still hot and heavy in my hand. I stared at it for a minute before taking out my address book. Then I wiped my palm on my pants and dialed.

“I was wondering how you’re getting along,” I said, a little breathlessly. “Actually, if you’re free, I was hoping you might like to get together for lunch one day this week.”

Tricia Lindera Hampton sounded surprised, as well she might be, since our previous contacts, if you don’t count Eleanor’s funeral, were pretty much limited to a few seconds of pleasantries at firm social events. “I’m not sure…” she began, polite but hesitant.

I took the offensive. “I know we don’t really know each other all that well, but you did seem as though you might need a friend when we talked at the play the other evening. And I thought you might like to get out of the house. I remember what it’s like to have young children around all the time,” I added shamelessly. Actually, if I had had parental responsibility for Randy and Barry Hampton, I not only would have gotten out of the house, I would have left the state altogether. In fact I was surprised that the phone lines were still functioning at Château Hampton, which was probably in ruins by now.

“Well…” I could tell she was weakening.

I played my trump card. “And of course I need to get out as well. Since the separation, I’ve lost touch with a lot of people in the firm, and I really don’t want to write off all the wonderful friendships I’ve enjoyed over the years. I’ve always been sorry I didn’t have more opportunities to get to know you better.”

I felt more than a little guilty about appealing to her sympathy (all right, pity) this way, but I had to get her to talk to me somehow. I knew she’d been ostracized by the remaining first wives in the firm, for whom the sight of a partner’s wedding ring on a paralegal’s finger was far from reassuring, so I hoped that even an outcast’s acceptance might retain a little bit of allure. I didn’t think I’d get more than one chance at it.

“Actually,” she said in a quiet voice, “I’m free today.”

“Great,” I told her, hoping I sounded pathetically grateful. “Neiman Marcus?” I inquired. I really liked their lime and cilantro shrimp salad, though what I always lusted after, but never ordered, was the baked Brie.

“Could we go to La Valencia instead? It’s closer.”

“One o’clock,” I told her.

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