24.1 The Party

Sleep evaded Mary the previous night. Thoughts of Reed’s party danced around her head all night long, and she couldn’t understand why. Earlier in the week, she stated confidently her role and reason for attending, but now she was a bundle of nerves. The party kicked off at 3:00. At dawn, she arose and got dressed as usual. Call it a force of habit, but she needed to keep busy.

Phoenix sat at the island to eat the breakfast she made for her. Mary was so deep in her head, she did not greet the young woman and started a pot of tea. Why was she so nervous? Did meeting his friends intimidate her that much? Was it the trajectory of their relationship? Everyone alluded to the symbolism of this party and how serious it was. Did it scare her? Was she ready? The best version of herself was the Mary who lived to please the man in her life. She was born to be at someone’s side. Despite all the questions she posed to herself, it was completely possible she was simply nervous. Meeting important people in her significant other’s life was a new experience. Nerves were natural. Did Reed feel that way about meeting Phoenix?

“Mom?”

“Yes, my darling?”

“Are you mad at me?”

The girl’s words were enough to shake her out of the daze she found herself in. “No! Of course not. Why would you think that?”

“You’re just so quiet.”

“I’m sorry. I have a lot on my mind this morning. Don’t worry about me.” She tried to flash The Mary™ hoping to throw the girl off her trail.

“You look nice,” Phoenix said. “Like really really cute.”

A quick grin graced her face. “Thank you, darling.”

Phoenix continued eyeing her curiously. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen your hair down like that.”

Mary thought about her statement and combed over Phoenix’s life. “I suppose you’re right. I wore it similar to this when I was a girl. Reed …” She almost forgot Phoenix still did not know their history and backtracked. “He likes it, so …”

“Aww. You guys are so sweet. You should marry him.”

Marriage was not something they discussed. But, they didn’t discuss many things. They had an innate understanding of where they stood in their relationship. Marriage was more than likely on the table, however. Reed wasn’t the type of man who would date a woman forever–except the one time. After Tim was born, he found himself in a slightly better place. He wasn’t completely over Mary yet but was open to seeing other women. His life was full of stress, and those women were great distractions.

At a certain age, however, his parents pressured him to find a wife and settle down. He knew he needed to, but his heart still yearned for Mary. One day, he met a woman who would satisfy the requirements the future Mrs. Keller. He courted her knowing his heart wasn’t in it, but he had to try. Eventually, love would come; that’s what he hoped. Besides, Mary was the one who cheated. If he kept the pain she caused in the front of his mind, maybe he’d run to the new woman. But, at the end of it all, he always forgave Mary and wanted her back. She seemed happy with her perfect little family. So, he tried.

When Reed got wind of John’s extramarital affairs, something inside snapped. He didn’t care about the woman he courted or the fact that Mary was a married woman. She needed out of that situation. He knew firsthand how deep betrayal at the hand of the love of his life cut. She would hurt far worse than him; they were married and had two children together. She was blissfully unaware of John’s sins, and Reed made it his business to convince her she still loved him. But, Mary took the marriage so seriously. If he told her what John was up to, she’d call him a liar and accuse him of trying to break them up. He’d lose her forever. But, she let him kiss her. The way she melted into his body and sighed in satisfaction told him everything he needed to know. In hindsight, she could have been love starved and in desperate need of affection, but he knew she loved him still. But, in the end, she chose John. She always chose him and always would. Reed went back to his woman tail between his knees. He proposed at last. She waited patiently for him to get his head in the game. But, his head never would be in the game. He couldn’t do that do her. She deserved more than to exist around a man who didn’t love her. Life was funny like that sometimes. Reed was honorable enough to break it off while Mary lived an optimistically miserable life with a man who did not love her.

Reed only ever wanted to marry Mary. A proposal was coming, but she was in no rush to move things along. Relationships were already difficult enough without merging lives and moving in together. Every now and then, thoughts of remarrying came up, however. She always wanted to, eventually. Having a man at home again would be nice. Reed could rake the leaves for her. Oasis Springs didn’t have many leaves. He probably paid people to take care of his yard anyway. Having money again would be weird but not unpleasant. Will Phoenix move with her or get her own place? Maybe she’d live with her father in that dreadful apartment. Or, her siblings. Second marriages were always such a difficult thing when children were involved no matter their age.

Mary tried to pass the time by watching TV, but it really wasn’t her thing. She needed more hobbies besides cleaning and dancing with Reed. That man loved dancing almost more than he loved her. Even when they were young. She danced because that’s what people of their social stature did. Reed danced for other reasons. She always suspected it was a medium for self-expression seeing as how he always felt so repressed. Almost all their dates included dancing in some form, and she went with it because it was a great excuse to get dressed up and be close to him. Though she had grown a lot and did not pressure him like she used to, she still wanted more from him, and he held back just like back in high school. Only Watcher knew why. Their relationship was not new anymore. They were committed to each other. Was he still waiting for marriage? As virtuous as that was, it seemed ridiculous at their age.

“Hey, Mom. I’m about to head over to Dad’s.”

“Ok, my darling. Have fun.”

“Mom?”

“Yes?”

“Whatever is bothering you … Well, I hope it gets worked out, I guess.”

She could be the sweetest child sometimes. Definitely the sweetest of her three. “Thank you, darling. That’s very kind. Enjoy your weekend, ok?”

Party time arrived, and she could not leave the house fast enough. Mary offered to arrive early to help Reed setup, but he insisted that she was to be a guest that afternoon and not the lady of the house. The sentiment was nice, but she wasn’t sure how to do that. And to arrive alone? It felt so weird.

Between fighting with the zipper on her dress, and the rain delaying the ferry, it was nearly 5:00 by the time she arrived on the island. The house was magnificent. Definitely not the beach house she was expecting. Then again, anything less grand wouldn’t be in character for the Kellers.

Reed must have heard her heels clacking on the gangway; she saw him waiting for her on the porch. He planted his luscious lips on her cheek upon her arrival. “You made it. I was so worried.”

“I’m so sorry. I don’t think you’ll want to hear all my excuses.”

“I’m just glad you’re here. Now the fun can begin.”

She gasped. “Are things not going well?”

“Let’s just say these parties are more a formality than a medium for actual fun.”

The inside of the house was even more glamorous than the outside. A long table covered in crisp, white linens stretched across half the length of the room. A decadent spread and colorful punch seemed to sparkle on the serving table and caught her nose upon crossing the threshold. Jazzy notes from the stereo whizzed around the room in and out her ears; Reed loved jazz so much.

He lead her to the group with his hand enfolding hers. “Everyone, this is my Mary.”

Being presented so lovingly got the butterflies in her stomach flying again. It was such a simple thing, but it meant so much. Though, sometimes, those simple things were a point of frustration. They made her see how royally she messed up her life and all the things she missed out on because of it. But, she never wallowed in it for long. Reed’s love and pursuit were more than enough to disperse the shadows that attempted to cover her happiness.

Naturally, everyone turned toward her–everyone except the man in the ultra-modern red suit. The blonde next to him in the beautiful embossed dress inspected her as if she appeared from outer space or something. The judgmental stares were one part of high society Mary did not miss.

“This is the Bradley family,” Reed said. “Victor is my mentor.”

“Good to meet you, young lady,” he said, still not making eye contact.

“He’s a genius. Don’t let him tell you otherwise.”

Victor chuckled. “You’re too kind.”

“This is his wife, Charlotte, and their oldest daughter, Mariah.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” Mary said.

“Likewise,” Mariah replied.

Charlotte must not have decided if Mary was friend or foe and did not return the greeting.

“Over here is my good friend, Francesco Santoro.”

“I am thrilled to meet you at last, Mary. The pleasure is all mine.”

Mary grinned. “I’m glad to meet you too.”

“In the back, we have Lloyd and Kyra Hawthorne. He’s an associate of mine.”

“It’s about time,” Lloyd yelled. “You know how long you kept this fool waiting for you?”

Mary was taken aback and unsure of how to respond. She knew what he implied, but to say it aloud? In front of people she barely knew? The nerve!

“Lloyd,” Reed chided. “Come on.”

Lloyd took a long swig of champagne before addressing his unamused wife. “For Watcher’s sake, Kyra. Sit like a lady! You’re embarrassing me.”

Mary cleared her throat. “Nice to meet you, Kyra.”

“Please, Mary. Sit. Can I get you something to drink?”

She had a feeling she may need several drinks if that Lloyd would continue to behave boorishly, but she was such a lightweight. The last thing she wanted was to embarrass Reed. “I’m fine for now, thank you.”

Above the Bradleys was a portrait of the Keller family she had not seen in ages. It brought back so many memories and a huge smile to her face.

So much about Reed had not changed. He never cut his curly locks and slicked them to the side for a more polished, grown-up look. He still dressed to impress everywhere he went. Most importantly, he was still a gentleman. Despite taking a different path from what the Kellers wanted, she hoped they were still proud of him.

Lloyd had poured himself another glass and downed half of it before Mary drew her attention to the group again. “Kyra, I’m not sure why you insist on being difficult! Stop being such a sour puss in front of our gracious host and his exquisite lady. Pull yourself together!”

“Oh heavens,” Charlotte whined. “Stop talking to her like a child, Lloyd.”

“I’ll stop talking to her like a child when she stops acting like one! Speaking of children, does anyone know the Pruetts?”

Finally, a conversation Mary could join.

“Pruett … Bae, isn’t that that boy Kelly’s been going out with?” Victor asked.

“Oh, I don’t know what his name is. She’s so secretive about him.”

“Yes, Daddy,” Mariah said. “He’s a Pruett.”

Victor never seemed to make eye contact with anyone. He sat there with his legs crossed nursing one glass of nectar. Maybe Reed meant “genius” literally. Many true savants had weird quirks like that.

“Pruett,” he repeated, eyes squinted and mulling it over. “Oh! That’s those legacy people over in Willow Creek.”

Mary wanted to chime in and sing praises of the Pruetts, but she was also curious about what sparked this conversation and stayed silent.

“Legacy?” Lloyd asked. “So they’ve got money then?”

“Oh, yes yes,” Victor said. “Old money.”

Lloyd raised his drink in the air. “That’s what I like to hear.”

Mary didn’t like the sounds of the conversation. The direction was unclear, but her silence came to an end. “The Pruetts are great friends of mine. They are some of the best people I know!”

“Oh? Do tell, Ms. Jones,” Lloyd said. “Tell me all about your precious Pruetts.” He looked at her as if he could see through her dress. His tone was equally suggestive.

“Our son took the Pruett girl to a school dance,” Kyra said finally, “and now he wants to take her to the mayor’s ball.”

Lloyd snorted and took a big gulp from his glass. “Looks like everyone is trying to get in bed with the Pruetts.” He chuckled.

Charlotte sighed. “Why do you insist on inviting this animal every year, Reed?”

“You’re being a real jerk, Lloyd,” Reed said. “I don’t appreciate you insulting Mary’s friends to her face. And, I think you’ve had enough to drink.”

“How about we eat now, hmmm?” Charlotte asked. “That should sober him up quick.”

“Good idea. Let’s eat.”

Everyone let Mary serve herself first probably because she was new and out of respect for Reed. Rich people had such strange customs. It had been so long, she nearly forgot most of them.

“I’m sorry if I’ve offended you, Mary,” Lloyd said.

The Mary™ was in full effect. “That’s quite all right. Perhaps next time you’ll get to know a person before you judge them.”

Mary sat with the ladies while Reed tried to pair up Mariah and Francesco. At least that’s what it looked like. Victor smiled for the first time all afternoon and looked like he approved of Reed’s efforts.

After dinner, Reed tickled the ivories for a few songs. She didn’t know he played. Learning something new about him after all those years was thrilling. Victor and Charlotte danced while Mariah and Santoro whispered in a corner. Kyra sat and scowled all night while Lloyd drank a few more glasses of champagne. What was their story? Sadly, they reminded her a lot of her and John. She never called him out in front of everyone like that, but her little nudges to sit up straight and smile probably felt more like a mother scolding her child. No wonder he was so miserable. If she could have the wisdom she now had, life would be so different.

Finally, everyone left to catch the ferry to make it to their respective homes by an appropriate hour. Reed tried to get her on it, but she insisted she stay and help clean up.

“Who on earth is that dreadful man?”

Reed rested against the counter and let out all the air in his lungs. “He’s a friend of the family. My dad’s somebody’s somebody. I feel obligated to invite him because of that … And, we work together.”

“Hmph. I wouldn’t have someone like that in my home. That poor woman!”

“What would you have me do? Uninvite him? You know how these things work.”

She sighed. “I know. Commit social suicide and be happy, or play the game and be miserable.” She shook her head. “It’s not fair.”

Reed chuckled.

“Are you laughing at me?”

“Of course. The longer you stay in politics, the more feisty and vocal you get.”

“And you told me I wasn’t cut out for this.”

“I’ve never been more wrong.”

She laughed. “Come on. I think you’ll want to dance with me now.”

“Oh, that’s the best suggestion all day.”

They danced like time didn’t exist, smiling, laughing and turning around the room without a care in the world. So far, everything went according to plan.

“What time does the next ferry come?”

Reed smirked. “Six in the morning.”

Perfect. “So, I’m stuck here with you until then?”

“Mm hmm. There’s only the two of us on this whole island.”

That was exactly what she wanted to hear for she planned to make both of their dreams come true. “Hmm. Suddenly, I feel exhausted.”

“Oh? Let’s get you upstairs then.”