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BARBARA

“ A house in Long Beach, a new car, and some delicious frosting…” Edith motioned to my matching diamond solitaire earrings and pendant set. “You’d better be glad I love you so much, or I’d throw my hat in the ring. He really does spoil you, doesn’t he?”

I shrugged, trying to downplay the opulence surrounding me. “Edie, you know I’m not doing this for the money.”

She clapped me on the shoulder. “Relax, Babs. He’s all yours.” She huffed hot breath on her fingernails and buffed them on the front of her blouse. “Besides, he’s too young for me anyway.”

“Edie, you’re only forty.”

“Forty-one,” she corrected.

“Oh my goodness, I missed your birthday. I’m so sorry!”

“Relax. You know I don’t celebrate those anymore.” Edith unpacked a cut crystal vase and placed it on a side table. “You’ve done good, kid,” she quipped, gesturing around the living room.

The new house was swanky by most standards—nothing like the mansion Edith and I grew up in, but still polished and modern. For me, though, even a shack on the beach would have done the trick. Anything to get away from Frank.

“Frankie loves it here,” I said, changing the subject. “The beach, the new nursery school. He’s already made a bunch of friends.”

Edith sighed and plopped onto the overstuffed sofa. “I don’t doubt it. But it’s strange not having you just up the road.”

I joined her on the sofa, resting my hand on hers. “This isn’t forever, you know. It’s just until things settle.”

“Until things settle,” she repeated, her tone dubious. “Babs, I’m just worried. You have a lot on your plate right now. The new place, Frankie starting in nursery school, the divorces…”

“Victor’s court date is in two weeks,” I said. “Once his divorce is finalized, everything will be simpler.”

Edith raised an eyebrow. “What about your divorce?”

I sighed, knowing where this was heading. “We’ve been over this. The lawyer says I can’t file until Victor’s divorce is final. It’s a perception thing.”

“I think it’s a horseshit thing, but I won’t hash it out again.” She sighed at my silence. “I just hate that you’ve got men controlling you every which way you turn. I want you to be free, Babs.”

“I’ll leave the femme fatale act to you, Edie. I never quite got the smolder down.” I gave her a playful elbow to the ribs.

She smirked but didn’t let the moment pass. “And Frank?” Edith’s voice softened. “Is he playing nice yet?”

I hesitated before answering—not because I didn’t know the answer, but because admitting it aloud made it all so stark and real.

“He’s been stoic and detached as always,” I said finally.

“He makes no effort to see Frankie or even talk to him.” I paused, gathering my thoughts like scattered leaves in a storm.

“Despite all his blustering about having me declared unfit and taking custody?—”

“Blustering?” Edith raised an eyebrow.

“That’s all it ever was. Just words. He’s made no effort to actually be a father.” I hesitated, then added, “Lately, he’s gone quiet altogether. Not that I mind.”

Edith leaned back against the sofa cushions and studied me with those keen hazel eyes that rarely missed anything important. “So you think he’ll just let you go without a fuss? Let you take Frankie?”

“I don’t know, Edie. But he’s given me this much, and for now, it’s enough.”

Edith stood from the sofa and stretched her arms overhead. Her red-and-white checkered shirt came untucked from her dark blue jeans. She made pants look good—natural, even. I wasn’t anywhere near brave enough to try it.

“I should get going. Let me take Frankie for the weekend.”

I hesitated. “Edie, you don’t have to?—“

“I want to,” she said, cutting me off. “I miss the little rascal. It’ll be like old times.

Besides, I imagine you need some time to catch up on sleep or”—she winked at me—“any other ‘undercover’ activities you might get up to.” She pressed a finger to her lips with a devilish grin.

“I know it’s against the ‘rules,’ but your secret’s safe with me.

You’re already breaking them, doll. So why not toss the whole damn rule book out the window? ”

I smiled. “Thank you.”

Edith walked to the door and put on her coat. “Don’t thank me yet. I plan to spoil Frankie rotten and return him to you completely unmanageable.”

I laughed and opened the door for her. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”