Sophie sighed and shut up. Instead, she sat there, hugging Sierra while the tears flowed down her cheeks. Men were pigs.
But not all men. And not doctors. They were just clueless turkeys.
10
Catherine’s body finally insisted she go lie down, and she excused herself and went to the room to rest. She was still napping when Denise came in.
“Don’t tell me you’ve been in here all afternoon,” Denise said, dumping her purchases on her bed.
“No. I wound up seeing the cathedral and spending a little time in one of the Christmas markets.”
“By yourself? I’ll wager not.”
“No, I went with Rudy and Athena.”
Denise made a face. “That girl. Such a sourpuss.”
“I think she’s got trust issues.”
“Haven’t we all?”
“Looks like you spent a fair amount of time in the market,” Catherine said, pointing to the bags.
“Oh, yes.” Denise pulled out a red wool scarf from one. “Charlie bought me this. Isn’t it pretty?”
“Yes, and it matches his Santa hat,” Catherine teased. “What did your other admirer get you?”
“Glühwein.”
“I can tell who’s the most determined. Does this put Charlie in the lead?”
Denise chuckled. “They’re both nice men, but I’m not interested in anything permanent. I rather like being on my own. You, on the other hand,” she said, pointing at Catherine, “are meant for marriage.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Catherine demanded. “Are you saying I can’t make it on my own?”
“Not in the least. I’m saying you’re not wired to be selfish. You need someone to do things for. I like being in charge of my own schedule, doing what I want when I want. You like taking care of people. Which,” she added, “is why your kids take such advantage of you. And that is why you can’t stay a widow. The little bloodsuckers will suck you dry.”
Catherine frowned. “My children are not bloodsuckers.”
“You need a life of your own,” Denise said, unrepentant. Then, before Catherine could get properly insulted over her friend’s assessment of her life, she grinned and said, “I’m glad you came on this trip. You really do deserve to have a special holiday. I hope you milk every moment for all it’s worth.”
How could you stay irritated with such a good friend? “Thanks for getting me to come. I am making some great memories.”
“And we’ve barely begun. Come on, it’s almost time for that predinner talk from our social director. Let’s go find out what’s on the schedule for tomorrow.”
They made their way to the lounge, stopping to grab a cookie from the cookie bin. “I won’t need a car to get home from the airport,” Denise said as she bit into one. “With everything I’m eating I’ll be able to roll myself home.”
“Me, too,” Catherine said.
But who knew if or when she’d ever be able to do something like this again? She grabbed one last cookie and a latte from the fancy coffee machine before following Denise through the automatic sliding door into the lounge.
“There’s the gang,” Denise said, pointing to where Rudy and his daughter and one of the sisters sat, along with Trevor. “Looks like they saved us seats. Shall we join them?”
“Might as well,” Catherine said, although she was sure Athena would be none too happy to see her.
On their way they passed some of the students who had staked out seats by a window. One girl in ripped jeans and a faux leather jacket over a low-cut snug-fitting top was typing away on her phone with dark purple fingernails. A blue-haired, chunky boy in jeans, boots and an old, beat-up leather jacket was idly checking out something on his phone and sneaking looks at the girl seated across from them, the same little, plain-faced girl who kept popping up on the fringes of their group. It wasn’t a bad face, Catherine thought, but one that could have benefitted from some embellishment.
Unaware of the boy across from her, she was staring across the room at Trevor as he passed out chocolate to the sisters and Athena. She watched with the intensity of a dog sitting next to the dinner table, hoping for a treat. Catherine couldn’t help feeling sorry for her. Youth so often specialized in aiming love the wrong direction.
The lounge was already three-quarters full, but the group had claimed their same section of the lounge, draping sweaters and jackets over the chairs. All were happy to welcome Denise and Catherine. Even Athena was smiling, although it looked a little forced.