Big Lies in a Small Town - Diane Chamberlain Page 0,98

to fall asleep. What time is it?”

“Nearly noon,” Pauline said. “And I’m taking you to lunch at the Albemarle, though you look like you need a nap more than a meal. You work way too hard, Anna.”

“I can’t go to lunch.” Anna pushed her chair away from her worktable and stood up. She held her arms wide to display her paint-stained pants and smock. “I’m hardly dressed for it.”

“That’s why I brought you one of my skirts and blouses.” Pauline shoved the garment bag into Anna’s arms, then looked worriedly down at her oxfords. “Your feet and bare legs will be hidden by the table, I hope,” she said.

It had been a while since Anna had visited with Pauline. If her friend had gone to that much trouble to get her out of the warehouse, she should go, exhausted or not. She carried the garment bag to her small bathroom at the far end of the warehouse, where she changed into Pauline’s skirt and blouse. They hung a bit loosely on her, but what did it matter? They would do.

Pauline drove them to the Albemarle Restaurant on Broad Street, where they both ordered the platter with chicken salad, tuna salad, a bit of candied apple, and a slice of American cheese. They chatted about this and that and then Pauline gave her a secret-looking smile.

“I have news,” she said, her cheeks flushing. “I’m expecting a baby! Karl is over the moon about it.”

“Well, my goodness!” Anna said. “How wonderful!” She was surprised by the confusion of feelings that came over her. Joy for her friend’s happiness. Excitement at the thought of a new baby in their midst … although she would certainly be back in New Jersey by the time the child was born. And envy. That surprised her. Did she want to have a baby? Or was she just concerned about losing Pauline’s friendship as her priorities changed? It made Anna glad she’d decided to join Pauline for lunch today. She had to nurture her friendships. They were too easy to lose. “Your mother must be thrilled,” she said.

“Oh, she is! And Karl and I are coming over to dinner tonight to celebrate, so I wanted you to know ahead of time. You’ll join us, of course.”

“I’d love to.” She always enjoyed it when Karl and Pauline came to dinner, although she was so sleepy today she wasn’t sure she’d be able to stay up for much merriment.

Pauline chatted for a while about her plans for a nursery, but then abruptly changed topics, leaning across the table toward Anna.

“People are talking about you and the colored boy, honey,” she said quietly. “You need to be careful.”

“Pauline!” Anna was stunned. She felt sorely disappointed. “First of all, I consider Jesse an art student who has also become a friend.” She remembered telling Jesse about her mother. How he’d listened. How he’d truly heard her. “And second,” she said, “I don’t care what people say.”

“Well, you should care,” Pauline said. “Karl told me how someone painted”—she leaned forward to whisper—“those words on the warehouse.”

“That was weeks ago. Nothing’s happened since then. Probably just some hoodlums out causing trouble. I don’t want to live my life in fear.”

“It’s different here than where you came from.” Pauline’s voice was quiet but earnest. Her dark blue eyes held such grave concern that Anna felt taken aback. She could tell that her friend was sincerely worried about her.

She let out a long sigh. “People keep telling me that,” she said. “But I can’t change who I am, and I think you’re silly to worry. I’m five years older than Jesse, for heaven’s sake. I adore him like a little brother. He may not look like a kid, but he is a kid and he acts like one.” She sat up very straight. “I plan to continue ignoring such catty talk.”

“Your intentions may be pure,” Pauline said, “and his may be pure. But it doesn’t matter. People still believe what they want to believe and you’re only inviting their criticism.” She cut a corner of her slice of cheese and lifted it to her lips without taking a bite. “And it can get worse, dear.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, it’s against the law. Colored and white … you know.”

Anna laughed. “You have nothing to worry about there,” she said. “I have no interest in—”

“That may be the truth.” Pauline set down her fork without eating the cheese. “But it’s not what people believe, and that’s what