of us,” Joanie explained. “I wish you were here, Brett. Leaving Zoe at that recruiter’s office was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’ve cried all morning.”
“It’s not fair that you had to do this alone,” Brett said. “I should’ve been there to support you. We just got our orders changed this morning. We had thought we’d be home by Thanksgiving, but we’ve got to stay a little longer. The new idea is that we’ll get to be there for Christmas. I’m hoping to arrive in time for Zoe’s basic-training graduation. Maybe we can go away for a week or two, just the two of us, after that. I can put in for leave, and we could spend a week on that little beach in Florida that we like.”
“Promise?” she asked.
“As much as I’m able to,” Brett said.
“Brett, I feel so guilty that I’ve still got you. Diana has no one now but us and Tootsie.” Her voice quivered as much as her chin.
“I heard a catch in your voice. Please tell me you aren’t crying. I wish I was there to hold you or that we could talk awhile longer, but I’ve got to go. I wanted to give you a heads-up so you’ll be there when the mail carrier comes. Eli’s lawyer sent out divorce papers to Carmen. They’re coming in the mail today.”
“Sweet Lord!” Joanie stood up so fast that it made her dizzy. “Why would he do that? Is it another woman?”
“It’s been a long time coming. He didn’t want to file until Natalie was through school, but it’s been a tough year on him having to wait this long. I’m glad that he finally got things going for the divorce,” Brett said.
“I asked you if it’s another woman.” Joanie fell backward onto the sofa.
“Just go be with her, Joanie. What goes on between Eli and Carmen is their business. He’s calling her before we leave to be sure the papers got there. I really do have to go. I’ll call you as soon as I can, and we’ll be together as a family right before Christmas. Love you,” Brett said.
“Love you,” she said, and ended the call.
Joanie tossed the phone on the other end of the sofa and began to pace the floor. Five years ago Gerald had divorced Diana for a younger woman. Now Eli was divorcing Carmen. In five more years would her marriage be on the rocks?
Her stomach clenched into knots, but she didn’t know if she was hungry or nauseated because of what was happening. This was simply too much drama, too fast, for her to take in. She went back to Zoe’s room, lay down on the bed, and let the aura of her daughter’s presence from that morning soak in for half an hour.
“Okay, enough,” she said out loud as she got up. “The mail will be here anytime, and we need to be there for Carmen when she gets that damned letter. I can’t procrastinate another minute.” She muttered to herself as she headed out the door, only to see that her mailbox was already stuffed. “Dammit!” She jerked her phone from her hip pocket and hit the speed dial for Diana.
“You finished crying?” Diana answered.
“No, but now it’s for a different reason. Meet me on the sidewalk. Carmen needs us,” she said. “And bring the rest of that bottle of wine she was drinking and the rum, too.”
“Good Lord, did Eli die?” Diana sounded out of breath.
“No, but it might have been better if he had.”
Diana met her halfway between their two houses with a bottle in each hand. “What’s happened?”
“Eli sent divorce papers, and I think they’ve already been delivered. Brett called and gave me a heads-up. The mail doesn’t usually come until after lunch, but it came early today. We should’ve already been there with Carmen.” Joanie charged on to the other end of the block.
“I should’ve brought more than two bottles,” Diana said, keeping pace.
Joanie rapped on the door but went on in before Carmen could answer. “Where are you?”
“In the living room,” Tootsie yelled. “I was just about to call y’all.”
They found Carmen curled up on the sofa under a fluffy throw with unicorns on it. Papers were strewn about on the floor, and her phone was ringing. Tootsie had pulled up a rocking chair and was holding her hand.
Joanie pushed the coffee table back a few feet so that she and Diana could sit down in front of the sofa and laid