the couch and turned on the TV. There was so much to be done for tomorrow, but she could rest for just a minute. It’s a Wonderful Life was on, which made it seem like Thanksgiving was already over, like time had just raced by and it was already Christmas.
She watched a little bit of the movie, but her heart wasn’t in it, so she snuck over to the computer and pulled up Wedding Belles and Whistles. She read an article by a bride who was to be married that weekend, and how she’d already arranged to have a plate of Thanksgiving food set aside for her, since she wouldn’t be able to indulge that day. She was making place card holders in the shape of turkeys, which sounded a little silly to Weezy, but they were actually sort of whimsical looking. Just a few minutes, she told herself as she settled into her chair and read all about Thanksgiving Bride’s big day.
CHAPTER 13
Claire knew before she opened her eyes that it wasn’t good. Her head was throbbing, and it felt like she was on a boat, or something that was moving very slowly, back and forth. She opened her eyes to find that it was just a couch—Lainie’s couch—and not a boat. Her right hip ached, probably because she’d been lying on it for hours without moving. She looked in front of her and saw a full glass of wine on the coffee table, and Jack standing and staring at her. He was still in his pajamas, which were dark blue with light green monsters printed on them, and he was holding some sort of Transformer-looking toy, although Claire realized with a horrible throb of her head that it couldn’t be a Transformer because kids didn’t even play with those anymore—or did they? Were they back? She couldn’t remember, and thinking about it was making her want to vomit.
“Hi,” Jack said. He rubbed his nose with the heel of his hand. “Hey, you’re still dressed for the party.”
Claire closed her eyes. She was still wearing the same clothes she’d worn over last night. Sleeping on Lainie’s couch wasn’t a first—she’d done that plenty—but being so drunk that she couldn’t bother to borrow a T-shirt and sweatpants was a new low. In the kitchen, someone was banging drawers open and closed, like they were in a hurry. Lainie walked out into the room holding a cup of coffee.
“Hey, bud,” she said, touching Jack’s head. Then turning to Claire, she said, “I feel awful.”
Claire sat up slowly, and held on to the arm of the couch in an attempt to stop the spinning in her head. “Really? I feel great.”
Lainie laughed. “You kept me up way too late last night. And made me drink way too much wine. I’m so screwed. I have to bring a pie to Brian’s mom’s house.”
“Really, well, I have to actually stand up at some point today. And right now I’m not sure that’s possible.”
“Do you want some coffee?” Lainie asked. She was now moving quickly around the room, picking up the last of the party remnants, taking the empty glasses into the kitchen, and throwing out the napkins. Ever since Lainie had had kids, she didn’t really get hungover. She claimed she did, but she never sat still and moaned about it. “I can’t,” she said once. “I don’t have a choice, so it’s like my body figured out how to get through the hangover while letting me move around.” It made Claire feel worse to watch her up and cleaning.
“No coffee for me, thanks,” Claire said. “I just need to lay here for a minute.”
“Sure. Your phone has been ringing, by the way.”
“Oh God.” Claire knew it was Weezy. “I should go home soon.”
Jack was folding and unfolding his little toy into a truck and then a robot. He was making those noises that little boys make to mimic an explosion, or a rocket, or a bomb.
“Hey, bud, you want to help me make a pie?” Lainie asked. Jack looked up and nodded. “All right, then, go get dressed.”
Jack ran out of the room, and Claire sat up. She told Lainie what Jack had said to her about still being dressed for the party, and the two of them snorted with laughter.
“Okay,” Claire said, finally standing up. “I think I might make it.”
“OH, CLAIRE,” WEEZY SAID when she walked in.
“What?”
Weezy sighed. “Look at you. You’re going to be exhausted. I need your help today.”
“I’m