“Paranoid tendencies,” Jessica scoffed. “What a description. Are you trying to make me sound stupid? Which woman wouldn’t be suspicious when her husband prefers to stay away from home and appears on the dailies with another woman? Excuse me for being paranoid.”
“That woman happens to be your sister. Zoe has been my friend far longer than you and I have been together,” Kenny said glaring at her. “You can’t bring yourself to trust me or your sister for that matter. So tell me what kind of low opinion is that you have about your family? How can I understand your accusations?”
“We’re obviously going around this issue, so why don’t you tell me what it is you have to always discuss with Zoella that can’t involve me,” Jessica said hotly. “What’s the big secret you two share that you don’t have time for me?”
Secrets, Kenny mused, plagued his life, ate at his conscience. He’d made promises though, the secrets couldn’t be released.
“We are good friends, sort of like you and Christy. I’ve explained this to you before. It never sinks in. I wonder if you’ll listen now.”
“No,” Jessica said. “I’m tired of watching it all from the sidelines. I’m not losing my marriage to Zoella. So tell me what’s so special you need to spend so much time together. May be I can join you.”
“This is not a joke,” Kenny said in anger.
Jessica was treating this like it was so easy.
It wasn’t, especially now that Zoe was acting so strange. Why wasn’t she calling him? He needed to understand why she’d called it off with Robbie. He was worried. The fact that Thaddeus was also angry with her made him think this was serious. It was obvious something else was going on.
“Kenny, if you want me to believe what you keep telling me about you and Zoe, just clue me in. Prove it by telling me what’s going on with you two,” Jessica said, her expression daring him to do it.
What game was this now?
Kenny wondered it didn’t seem like Jessica to insist on such a thing. It made him feel like she was plotting something.
“Tell me, Jess, since when do you care what’s up with Zoe?” Kenny demanded.
“Since you started giving her more time and thought than you give me,” Jessica retorted.
“The truth at the moment is I don’t know what’s going on with your sister,” Kenny said abruptly. It pained him to admit that.
“What does that mean? She just cancelled a wedding to run off with an Italian gangster-looking man. What’s so mysterious about that?” Jessica chuckled. “In case you didn’t notice it’s splashed all over the media, my love.”
“So you believe it? Of course you would.” Kenny sighed, turning back to the bar; he poured more scotch into his glass. “You were never clear headed when it came to Zoe. I can’t believe you imagine she could do such a thing.”
“What’s to imagine?” Jessica asked. “There is no question about what everyone is saying. It’s obvious.”
“Look beyond the surface, Jess,” Kenny snapped. “Not just the top, but what’s untold.”
Danny had reacted the same way, Jessica frowned. Why was everyone so touchy?
“Look, I feel as though we’re teetering on the edge. I love you, you are my husband, but things can’t continue this way.”
“I agree. I should also point out that we fight because of your paranoia with a harmless relationship.”
“It’s not harmless. Let’s not pretend,” Jessica said quietly. “I realize you two have been through a lot, and I’d never want to stop your friendship. But—, I’m your wife, Kenny. You have to concede to an extent. Lean on my side and help make this marriage work. I’m so left out sometimes.”
“What are you saying?” Kenny said in confusion.
Jessica swallowed and decided to take the plunge. Moving around the arm chair, she went to stand before him. Reaching up a hand, she caressed his jaw delicately.
“Let me in,” she said quietly, her blue eyes searching his.
“You are in,” Kenny said, noting the love he remembered in those eyes. Love and concern, the two things he hadn’t read in there for a while. “You’re my wife.”
Sighing, Jessica dropped her hand. “Just—
She let out a frustrated breath.
Not sure why she was acting this way, Kenny studied Jessica for a moment then placing his glass on the bar counter; he clasped her upper arms. Pulling her close, he leaned down and pressed a kiss on her forehead. She looked up at him and he kissed her lips gently.
“I know what you’re asking,” Kenny said, against her cheek. “But you’ll have to give me time first. Allow me to solve this current mess.”
“I can help. I can make sure the press stops.” Jessica offered, her heart fluttering in hope. He wasn’t refusing to share. He was asking for time. And that she could give.
“No, the press is Zoe’s doing. The course they are taking was started by her; she wanted it to get this bad. You can’t stop it without revealing who she really is. What I want to know is why she would do such a thing,” Kenny said on a sigh. “I want to go to Greece this weekend. If you want, you can come along.”
Jessica smiled at the small concession. It was small, but she’d take it.
“Of course, I’d love to go with you.”
*****
“Where is she?” Thaddeus roared when he arrived home on Thursday evening.
He’d just spent an entire afternoon in the company of one Franco Antonio. It had taken no time to get the full story on what Zoe had been up to in London. Now that he knew all the details, he wanted answers.
“My love, what has you so upset?” Athena said, standing up from where she’d been seated on the couch. Thankfully, Zan and his Nanny Zelda had just left to change his clothes, so they were alone. It wouldn’t do for Zan to see his father so angry.
“I just talked to Franco Antonio. Zoe has been playing games. I want to talk to her. Where is she?”
“At the beach,” Athena answered moving to help Thaddeus with his suit jacket. “And it’s a good thing too; you need to calm down before you blow up on her. I’ve already done it twice and it won’t help. She’s stubborn and it will only get worse.”
“How can I calm down?” Thaddeus demanded allowing Athena to take the jacket. He undid his tie and the two top buttons of his white shirt. “She’s pulling down the bricks of her life. I can’t imagine she’s the same woman we had dinner with in Prague. What the hell happened between our leaving her there and a day later? I just know it’s that McClaire.”
“Thaddeus, you’re upset she’s not confiding in you,” Athena said, having put Thad’s jacket in the care of the butler. She went a head and poured him a glass of cold lemon juice. “Believe me, I know how you feel. She’s been moping around for days and I can’t get her to talk. It’s driving me crazy.”
“Have you called Sylvia?” Thaddeus asked, taking the glass from her.
“Oh yes, nothing there, Zoe hasn’t called her either.”
“I’m going to make her call Sylvia.” Thaddeus decided. “The girl made Franco act for McClaire. He says it was brutal. He thought she’d kill herself crying. Obviously she still cares, what I want to know is why she’d bail on the relationship.”
Athena ran a hand through her loose hair. She’d been afraid of the truth. She’d secretly hoped that Franco was really Zoe’s boyfriend. Anything but what could only mean that Zoe was trying to seclude herself. That was far scarier.
Zan came running in just then. He was in blue shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt. His blond hair bounced around his cute face as he ran. He was now ready for his trip to the beach. Seeing his father, Zan exclaimed in glee and rushed to him.
“Papa, guess what, I got three shells this morning.” He announced proudly when Thaddeus picked him up and placed him on his lap. “Nanny has promised to take me again. I’ll get more.”
“Oh wow,” Thaddeus
said in excitement, his earlier concern hidden when he was holding his son. “Can I get one of your shells?”
“No,” Zan said his eyes wide. “Zoe says I should never give them up.”
“Oh really,” Thaddeus grinned, leaning to press a kiss on his son’s cheek he asked, “What if I promise to pay?”
“Hmm…” Zan thought then nodded. “You’ll give me something?”
“Yes, that’s how it works,” Thaddeus said, amused by his son the merchant.
“Okay. I want a hat like Drake’s. He is always boasting about his in school.”
“Drake has a hat you want?” Thaddeus asked.
“If you get me one, I’ll give you one of my shells,” Zan said.
Athena smiled at the negotiation in progress. Her son was a regular business man, she thought, just like his father. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming down the hallway. Leaning slightly to get a look of the hallway, she spotted Zoe passing.
A large beach hat on top of her head, her long hair fell down her back and a white wrap around her hips meant that she’d been swimming at the beach.
Swimming or walking, Athena thought.
Zoe didn’t pause to say hello, she went straight for the stairs, no doubt to mope around more.
Standing up, Athena left her husband with Zan and followed Zoe up to her room. She found Zoe removing her costume and changing into a light pink sundress.
“How’s the water?” Athena asked, her gaze moving to the uncovered grand piano. It was a good sign.
“Alright,” Zoe answered quietly. “Uncle Thad is home.”
“He’s not happy,” Athena said leaning down to pick up two blouses that were on the floor and placing them in the laundry basket. The bedroom was a mess, clothes were strewn all over. Typical of Zoe, Athena mused.
“He’s talked to Franco.” Zoe stated, sitting down on the bed. She ran a hand through her hair to untangle it.
“Is there something I should know about?” Athena asked then, moving around still picking up clothes from the floor and on chairs and stools. She’d been asking the question for a while now. She was hoping one of these days Zoe would break and tell.
“Nothing is wrong,” Zoe said. “Stop asking that question. It’s not going to be a different answer.”
“Well excuse me for worrying,” Athena said dumping clothes in the laundry hamper and turning to stare at Zoe.
Seated on the bed, Zoe looked like she was sixteen again. She was watching Athena with big dark eyes that held shadows Athena had thought were gone. To see them there hurt more than Zoe would ever understand.
“Stop worrying so much,” Zoe soothed. “I know what I’m doing.”
“If screwing up your life and happiness is, ‘knowing what you’re doing’ then excuse me for being stupid!” Athena snapped. “I don’t understand your logic, Zoella. Maybe one of these days you’ll clue me in.”
With that, Athena stormed out before she worsened the situation. It was getting difficult to keep her head around Zoe. What was she supposed to do? Sit back and watch the girl toss her life out the window without protest?
Chapter Eight
Haden was to take a break after Robbie’s wedding. Since the wedding was cancelled, the band opted to get back to the studio to work on their next album.
Unfortunately for them, all the songs they were to record had been written during the tour and tackled a subject Robbie wished he could discard. The lyrics had been heartfelt. Filled with such a longing to reunite with a love he wished he’d never known, or the beautiful relationship that had ripped him apart. He couldn’t believe he’d been such a fool.
“Stop,” Christine Pendleton ordered. “You’re not in the music, McClaire.”
“I’m singing it. I don’t know what you mean by that.” Robbie shot back his green eyes glaring at her. “I can’t get it done anyway since you keep interrupting me.”
“There is no way we’ll lay down a track that sounds like shit,” Christine said. “Will you get some rest? Get laid; get your head on straight.”
“I don’t have to take this,” Robbie said, matching her anger. He pulled off the earphones and stormed out of the recording room.
Christine sighed and turned to Tevin. Tevin placed his guitar on the stand before he went after Robbie.
“Stop being so hard on him,” Mick said to Christine. “This isn’t easy.”
“Hard?” Christine asked. “He has to get past that relationship. If singing the goddamned songs will help, he’d better get to it.”
“Zoe was important.” Ron pointed out. “Maybe he should do other songs. Not these ones.”
“They are brilliant,” Christine said in exasperation. “You guys haven’t done anything like them before. The album’s going to be great. How can I let them go?”
“Because they are causing pain,” Mick snapped standing up from his seat and dropping his drumsticks on the drums. “You’re going to help us, not destroy us. Change the songs to the ones he’s been writing lately.”
“Those are depressing,” Christine said in horror.
“Then we will be depressed,” Ron said. “Angst sells anyway.”
****
Robbie stuck coins in to the vending machine and punched in numbers for a soft drink. What he wanted was alcohol, but they were working. His band came first. There was no way he was going to allow that woman to destroy his entire life.
“What do you need to make you sleep?” Tevin demanded behind him. “You want pills? I’m sure we can get a prescription.”
“Don’t start with me,” Robbie sighed. “I don’t know what I’d do if I have nothing to do. I might go find her.”
“Move in with me then. I’ll watch out—
“It doesn’t matter. I’m afraid of thinking at all,” Robbie said. “When I’m not busy, the thoughts intrude and I can’t handle that. So work is good.”
“Damn it,” Tevin cursed, “she’s not worth it.”
“Don’t you think I know that?” Robbie snapped. “It’s not so easy!”
Tevin sighed this time and watched Robbie swallow the soft drink like it was life itself. The guy wasn’t sleeping; there were dark shadows under his eyes. His hair was longer, it needed a trim. He was also losing weight which meant he wasn’t eating enough if at all.
Ron and Mick appeared then, and Ron handed Robbie music sheets.
“This is what I wrote last week,” Robbie said puzzled.
“Yeah,” Ron said, “let’s lay that down.”
“What about the other ones?” Robbie asked.
Ron gave Tevin a glance. “This sounds better.”
Robbie shrugged, it was all work, it didn’t matter right now what got done.
*****
For what seemed like the millionth time, the strains of a dirge filled the house and Athena wished she’d never heard Bela Bartok in her life. Why had the man been so depressing anyway? Why was Zoe playing dirges? Wasn’t there happier music in Classical music?
“I wonder what happened to beautiful spring melody.” Alain commented with a sigh. “Anymore of that stuff and you’re all having oatmeal.”
“Mamma, I want to play with Zoe,” Zan whined. “Please make her come out.”
“My love that’s not going to happen,” Athena said, writing down the list of groceries Alain needed. “I wish I could lock away all the pianos in this house.”
“Don’t even try it unless you want trouble,” Alain said with a lifted brow. “She needs purpose.”
“Purpose,” Athena scoffed. “Her life was purpose before. Why is she moping around instead of picking it up again? Kelly is a phone call away.”
Athena took a banana from a fruit basket. Peeling it, she handed it to Zan. “Go find nanny, Zan.”
“Alright,” Zan took the banana and went in search of Zelda, leaving Athena to collect the baskets she needed for shopping.
“Take Z
oe with you to the market.” Alain suggested. “I’ll threaten her with the oatmeal.”
“Yeah sure,” Athena said. “Hopefully we can make it through the market without a fight.”
“Control your anger and try to be nice. That might go a long way to change her mind and talk,” Alain advised.
Holding two weaved baskets; Athena stared at her chef for a moment. She knew he was right. Alain was always right. She just wasn’t ready to let go of her anger with Zoe yet, especially when she looked out and saw the unfinished structure in the back lawn where she’d been planning a gorgeous wedding reception. She had yet to pay the carpenters for the job they were undoing. Shaking her head, Athena prayed for patience.
*****
“Pull your hat down,” Athena said as they got out of the car at the open market.
The place was teeming with people buying and selling fresh fruit and vegetables and all manner of items.
“Someone could recognize you.”
Zoe obeyed and pulled the wide brimmed hat lower. Her hair was in a long braid down her back. She wore a white sundress that had long skirts that swirled around her sandaled feet. Athena wore a peasant skirt with a matching blouse. Cream yellow suited her, Zoe thought as she followed Athena to the market.
“Alain wasn’t actually going to cook oatmeal for dinner, was he?” Zoe asked with a smile.
“He was,” Athena said. “You know he doesn’t give empty threats.”
“Like the time he refused to cook dinner because Uncle Thad hadn’t told him about the extra guests,” Zoe chuckled. “I’ve never seen Uncle Thad so frightened.”
“Your uncle is a man who can’t cook.” Athena mused. “Of course he’ll panic.”
“Thank God for Alain,” Zoe said as they stopped at a fruit stand.
Athena engaged the fruit seller and the negotiations of fruit prices started. Zoe took the time to scan the market then.
Her gaze moved slowly over the many stands which were overflowing with goods ready for sale. There were customers at every stand, the atmosphere buzzed with sounds as clients negotiated for the right price. The most amusing part was seeing Athena jump into it with enthusiasm.
Athena could easily have left the task to the staff at the villa, but Alain was picky and Athena was a stickler for saving. Put both of them together and Athena did the grocery shopping for Alain.