Read The Madams of Mischief: Doom Divas Book # 1 Page 38
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A week later, Charli and I were laying out by the pool at her neighborhood. Her boys were playing around in the shallow end of the pool and Jaelyn splashed in the baby pool.
"Is Vanessa glad to be out of the hospital?" I said.
"I think so. It's a big step for her. She's still going to therapy several times a week, but at least she's home. She really looks good. She gained a little weight and got rid of those dark circles. The kids were so happy to see her. She saw a lawyer, too. He filed the divorce papers yesterday."
"That's great. Now she can get on with her life. What did she think about Mom's story?"
"She said that Mom did a good job. What did you think?"
"I agree. I'm glad Vanessa decided to let her write it. It was very brave." I took a big sip of my soda.
We watched the kids play Marco Polo.
"Did they figure out who was making the phone calls to the station?"
"No. Probably Nancy or Roberta."
"Marco." "Polo." "Marco."
"Have you talked to Zach? " Charli asked.
"Yes. He came by yesterday afternoon. He pleaded out his assault case. He's going to stay up at their lake house until he finishes his community service work, then he's going to California to visit some friends for awhile."
"I can't say I blame him. His whole life just went up in smoke."
"I know, but it doesn't make it any easier to handle. He said that he needs some time to think things through. We decided that a relationship between us just wasn't in the cards. At least not now. Fred's selling the business and both of the houses, by the way."
"That's what Mom said. Said he wanted to be near Roberta."
"It's pretty ironic, don't you think? He was going to leave her, now he's going to stand by her."
Tim swung through the metal gate and over to where we were sitting. He flopped down on a lounge chair and rubbed sunscreen across his chest and legs. "So Charli, Marty tells me that you lost that bet you made with John. The one where you have to do all the yard work and change all the dirty diapers and stuff."
Charli glared at me. "Only on a technicality. I really should have won. I had it almost all figured out, you know."
"Well, Charli, you know what Mom would say." I said.
"Don't even say it, Marty." She raised her arm like she was going to hit me.
I stood up. "She'd say, 'you know, this was just meant to be.'"
Charli bounced up out of her chair and pushed me backward. I teetered on the edge of the pool.
"I'm warning you, Marty, don't say the rest."
"She'd say, 'Everything always works out for the best'."
Charli shoved me into the pool. I grabbed her and pulled her in with me.
We came up sputtering and laughing. I managed to get it out. "One of these days, Charli, sweetie, you'll look back on this and laugh."
Charli took me under again. That time I was prepared. I held my breath.
"Yes, Charli," I said when I surfaced, "I do believe Mom's right. It's all -"
She pushed me under again. I swam away from her and came up out of the water.