Astor Place Vintage by Lehmann Stephanie

Author:Lehmann, Stephanie [Lehmann, Stephanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Historical, Contemporary Women, Fiction, Retail, Suspense
ISBN: 9781451682052
Google: Mzeo65hCldAC
Amazon: 1451682050
Barnesnoble: 1451682050
Goodreads: 16130517
Publisher: Touchstone
Published: 2013-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

AMANDA

AFTER CLOSING FOR the day, I took the two garbage bags full of Mrs. Kelly’s Edwardian clothes up to my apartment. I’d spend an exciting evening sorting through to see what needed washing and mending. Except before doing any of that, I really needed to go over my accounts.

I glared at my laptop. Facing those numbers seemed incredibly depressing. How had my life turned into such a disaster?

Nothing to do but go across the street and have a stiff one. Carol would be on tonight. She’d worked as a bartender at Phebe’s ever since I’d moved to the block. Carol gave me courage, and not just the liquid kind. She was surviving her fifth decade just fine—living with a longtime boyfriend, looking great, still pursuing an art career with zest. Life could continue on just fine after your first half century.

I took my favorite seat at the end of the bar, but where was Carol? Instead of her mop of red curls, a head of straight black hair on a young skinny body took my order. She had the de rigueur trendy piercings—tongue, nostril—and a butterfly tattoo on her wrist. When she set down my Jack Daniel’s with Diet Coke and a bowl of peanuts, I asked about Carol.

“She had to take off for a couple days. Death in the family.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. I’ve known Carol for years. Do you know who it was?”

“Her mom. Sucks, right?”

I nodded.

“Awesome top,” she said.

“Thanks.”

“My name is Hadley. Let me know if you need anything else.”

Poor Carol. Poor me. Poor everybody. Mothers shouldn’t die. It just shouldn’t be allowed. I reminded myself to call my mom about going up to Woodstock on Sunday night. Then I downed a nice big sip of my drink. Goddamm it. Was I ever going to be a mother? Had I already blown my chance? Molly was right to freak me out. Suddenly, her idea of chucking it all and moving in with my mom to raise my baby appealed to me.

I could become a Woodstocky, tie-dyed hippie, natural-foods single mom. All I needed was the sperm. Forget the anonymous donors, though. I’d get Jeff to contribute. Didn’t he owe me after using up my most fertile years? Bonus points: If I were raising his baby, I wouldn’t have to feel obligated to settle my financial debt. After his kids were off to college, he’d come for me in Woodstock, ask for my hand in marriage, and whisk me back to the city.

I finished off my drink. Dizzy and a little buzzed but perfectly in charge of my facilities . . . faculties . . . whatever . . . maybe I should’ve gotten something to eat.

Hadley came by and asked if I wanted another.

“Okay.”

I watched her mix the drink while I chomped on some peanuts. My new plan had me all excited. Only fear could stop me now. I should text him immediately, before changing my mind. As Hadley set down my drink, I took out my cell phone and began typing.

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