with two angels on the stopper. Breathin’ this in, I’m tryin’ real hard to focus on him at this moment and not on that shrew who shares his DNA! That harpy in high heels! Medusa in a fur coat!”
“What is she after you about?”
“Oh, nothin’ much!” Angela spat. “She just wants me to find another job and never talk to her brother again. That’s all.”
“But you and Mr. Farmer make one another happy. Is she jealous of that happiness?” Cooper asked.
“ ’Course she is! Who’d wanna date her, no matter how much money she’s got! Oh, I simply cannot let her see how she can get under my skin! Time and time again I have ignored her nasty little remarks. Why, I’ve cooked supper for that woman for the past two Sundays and she has yet to thank me. Instead, she makes snide comments about my butter beans or my garlic bread or what-have-you!” Angela touched a shellacked lock of platinum hair to be certain that it was where it was supposed to be. “I’m just afraid that she’ll turn my man against me, Cooper. The woman is grass-green with envy, and folks like that are capable of real cruelty.” She threw her purse on the ground. “Just when I was feeling so secure, I stand to lose everything!”
Cooper took Angela’s hand. “Mr. Farmer is not going to stop loving you because his sister wishes it. I’m sorry she’s making life hard for you both, but you’re doing everything right. It’s up to Mr. Farmer now. She’s his sister and she is out of line.”
“But Bea’s his whole family. He’d never cross her—even for me! So I’ve gotta bite my lip and smile when what I’d really like to do is smack the woman clear into next week!” Angela’s bubble-gum pink lips formed a pout. “And she’s right about me not bein’ a college graduate or a world traveler and all that, but nobody’s gonna love her brother like I do. Not ever!”
“And she’ll come to realize that eventually. Her envy will fizzle out, you’ll see. It is simply impossible not to like you, Angela.” Cooper put an arm around her friend. “Come on, you can’t be angry when there’s a plate of lo mein with your name on it close by.”
“Truer words were never spoken.” Angela managed a thin smile. “Thanks, sugar. I just needed to vent a spell. Love can be so complicated sometimes.”
“But it’s worth it,” Cooper said and linked her arm through her friend’s.
Five hours later, Ashley led the way as the two sisters drove south over the Willey Bridge. Cooper always slowed down during the brief crossing in order to take in the vision of the James River moving in dark, gray-blue ripples beneath the overpass. Even in the dead of winter, flanked by spiny trees and shrouded by a dull, charcoal-colored sky, the water’s movement was a reminder that the world was alive and animated, despite the impression that it was in a state of deep hibernation.
Ashley took the exit from the highway south of one of Richmond’s two mega-malls and continued driving east toward the Richmond City line. Without bothering to use her turn signal, she abruptly veered into the entrance of Stony Point Village. She drove toward the first cluster of brick townhouses and parked next to a cargo van with its rear doors left open wide. As Cooper pulled into the space next to her sister’s car, a Hispanic man came out of the closest townhome carrying a large cardboard box. He slid the box into the van and then headed back inside without giving the unfamiliar women a second glance. Something about his somber expression and brisk pace made Cooper feel uneasy.
“Looks like Maria’s moving,” Ashley remarked casually. “I hope she’s not leaving her job. Lincoln didn’t mention a thing about that, but I know she’s a dedicated and responsible employee and would be hard to replace.”
“If that turns out to be what she’s doing, it’s hard to blame her. I think I’d want to leave everything behind and start over, too,” Cooper stated sympathetically as the man reappeared bearing a suitcase in each arm. He called something over his shoulder in Spanish and two women materialized in the front doorway.
As Ashley waved in greeting, Cooper was certain she saw fear flash across their faces. The women were nearly identical in appearance—black hair streaked with hints of gray; soft, stocky bodies clad in sweatshirts and snug jeans; round faces; chestnut-brown