With friends like these by Sally Koslow

Author:Sally Koslow [Sally Koslow]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Roman
ISBN: 9780345506221
Published: 2010-09-15T07:06:51+00:00

CHAPTER 22

Jules

In that lobby, could Quincy have ditched me any faster? I didn’t get a good long look at her, except to notice she was wearing the same raincoat she’d had when we were roommates. I’d have loved to see if someone pregnant with three babies was triple my size. I might have liked to have a real chat, though even under ideal circumstances I’d never ask her opinion about what the fuck I should do next in my life, and not only because, officially, I’m not supposed to know she’s pregnant. Neither Talia nor Chloe had mentioned Quincy’s delicate condition, so either the little mama hadn’t told them yet or—ouch!—those two biddies had been sworn not to talk about the blessed event to the likes of me, the woman robbing Quincy’s triplets of a home.

“Good evening, Miss de Marco. Can we help you?”

Oh, that you could. “I’m fine, Esteban, but thanks,” I said. All the doormen had learned my name. It’s highly civilized to be greeted whenever I enter this lobby, but as I walked across a rug so plug-ugly it would go begging on Craigslist, it occurred to me that the snoots here must think simply that because this was their address, they had style. I’d have bet my ass that was the crew that had picked the rug. I wondered how many owners are like Arthur, who bought here when the neighborhood was a gulag.

As I got off the elevator, I heard the howling. That meant one thing: Arthur had been paid a visit by his neighbor. Her horselaugh rang through the hall.

Jennifer is one of those women aroused by competition. Until I erupted on the scene, I doubt she’d have grunted hello to my Artie when they bumped into each other tossing garbage down the chute. Now, with me across the hall several nights a week, she pops up like spam. I’ve suggested that he install a firewall—shouting “I have a girlfriend” would be a start—but he loves the pig-in-shit attention.

Turning my key in the lock, I could hear her say, “The wife got so rattled she had to make a bathroom run.” When I walked through the door, tears were running down Jennifer’s cheeks, streaking gullies in her makeup. Should I hand her a rag? Offer to hose her down?

“Holy crap!” Arthur said, apparently unaware of my presence. “What else went on?” He poured wine into his guest’s half-empty glass. It was from a bottle I’d brought two days ago.

“The woman could not stop talking. Diarrhea of the mouth and—whatever!” Jennifer whooped again and took a big swallow, which brought on a coughing spell.

“Hello!” I shouted as I put down a bouquet of yellow roses and a bag containing Hostess Twinkies and bacon. I’d been craving both, along with the obscenely expensive red beet sorbet at Rosa Mexicano. I hoped Sheila had been correct when she announced there was a baby inside me, because I’d already gained seven pounds. The buttons on my shirts were popping.

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