I would like to thank Julie Demers in helping me in so many ways to prepare this manuscript
Neighbors and Friends
It's the last day of school before summer vacation. It's Mary Anne's turn to carpool her and Shannon's kids off to Stoneybrook Day School.
When she gets back she and Shannon are off to take a walk around the block. They turn the corner and see Watson backing out of his driveway.
"Hey, Mary Anne! Hi Shannon! Just the girls I wanted to see! Elizabeth and I are having a BBQ in 3 weeks and we would love for your families to come! You should get a formal invitation in the mail soon," said Watson.
"Can Dawn come too? She is visiting us this summer," Mary Ann asked.
"Well of course! I'd have the whole town if I could hold 'em! Say hi to Logan and Robert for me," Watson said and drove away.
They continue making their way down the block to the neighborhood park.
"So Dawn is coming to visit?" Shannon asked. "She hasn't been back in a while."
" No not since the incident...you know with Maggie," Mary Anne replied.
But Shannon didn't know. She wasn't as close with Mary Anne or Dawn then, she hadn't even lived in their neighborhood. But she knew Mary Anne was sensitive and decided to ask someone else about it later. Maybe Robert knew? He had dated Stacey around that time.
"Are you excited about her visit?" She asked.
"Oh yes! So much has changed. She hasn't even seen the house and I'm fixing up her room with some stuff Dad and Sharon gave me from her old room. I'm a little bit nervous though. She is going to say it's elitist that we joined the country club," said Mary Anne.
"Yes, I remember it all too well from back in the day. But look on the bright side. She can see the kids and we can hang out and take her to the BBQ."
"Oh..about that. Shannon, I need your help. Ever since Logan won that lawsuit and our lifestyle changed, I've been feeling...out of place. I'm not used to these fancy dinners and luncheons like you are. I feel like I need some nicer clothes to fit in? Could you help me? I don't even know where to shop. Do I do it online...or..?"
"Sure Mary Anne! As soon as Dawn gets here that will be first on our list. You know...Dawn could use a glow-up too. Do you think she would let us?"
"All we can do is try. We will make it HER idea." The girls both laughed.
" Oh look. Someone moved into the corner house and the moving truck is there."
The moving truck was open and there was a bunch of boxes and furniture and clothes in it. Including...
"Shannon that's an SHS letter sweater! The kind Logan and Robert wore in high school! I wonder who is moving into that house?"
Who indeed thought Mary Anne.
Buzz! Buzz!
" Hey! It's the first day of summer vacation! Grab your sunblock, get down to the pool, don't forget to turn up the tunes!! We will be rockin' the hits here on WSTO!"
CLICK.
Logan rolled over after hitting the snooze on the alarm. He knew it would go off in 30 minutes and he would have to head down for a half-day at the office while Mary Anne went to the airport to pick up Dawn. Mary Anne's back was turned to him but he scooped her up in a spooning bear hug. His hands landed on the cross lacing of the bodice of Mary Anne's periwinkle blue nightgown and lingered there.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
"California Dreamin' on such a winter's day!"
Logan turned off the alarm with a sigh. "To be continued", he said. He grabbed his clothes and padded to their adjoining bathroom to get ready for the day.
Mary Anne stretched and stepped into her barely-full walk-in closet.
She had picked out the perfect outfit for the day. After their walk yesterday Shannon had helped Mary Anne cut off a pair of 501's into shorts and frayed them at the bottom. She thought they were too short at first, but Shannon had a pair just like them. Next was a blue gingham crop top with white ruffled spaghetti straps and a string that laced up the front. The midriff wasn't too high and she paired it with some cork-soled sandals, a straw hat, and her black Ray-Bans.
" Mrs. Bruno you look fabulous!" said Mona the live-in housekeeper. She was more of a friend. She was an older lady that had fiery red hair and more energy than any woman her age should have.
"Thanks, Mona. Remember you can call me Mary Anne. Mrs. Bruno is Logan's mother."
"I've got the menu for dinner all set for tonight. I can't wait to meet Dawn! She reminds me of when was in high school in the '60s."
"I'm going to pick her up now. You can get to know her once she is home and we can help her unpack. Then Shannon is coming so we can all go shopping. I'm going to get some new clothes. I need to look the part of the wife of the most powerful attorney in Stoneybrook. The first thing about husbands is you have to learn to keep them. That's what Sharon said at our wedding anyway."
They both laughed and Mary Anne was on her way.
"Oh, my lord!" Dawn exclaimed. "I knew you and Logan were doing good, but I never imagined this!"
Mary Anne and Dawn lugged Dawn's luggage up to the room. Dawn's room was huge. It was beach-themed with an aquamarine bedspread on a Californa King, with seashells and palm tree accents on the furniture, rug, and everything else in the room. There was a window seat on one side and French doors leading to a balcony on the other. It certainly was bigger than the quaint room she was living in back in California where she taught yoga to girls at a "woke" boarding school. Across from her room was a bathroom that continued the beach theme. There was a huge whirlpool tub and a sink and vanity across from it.
"Hey, Dawn!" Said Shannon. And all the girls hugged and screamed jumping up and down. "We've got some shopping to do! Mary Anne wants a glow-up now that she is a trophy wife!" The girls giggled.
"Shannon you are so lucky you and Robert live next door to Mary Anne. I wish I could see her every day. And live in this mansion!"
The girls got ready to head to Washington Mall. Logan was going to pick up the kids from the camp when he got off work and Robert would join them later for dinner.
Their first stop was Ralph Lauren. "Watson is having a fancy BBQ party in a few weeks. Dawn, do you have anything to wear to that?"
Dawn owned some dressy bellbottom pants but needed a fancier top for a party at Watson's. She knew she would not find it at Ralph Lauren.
But Mary Anne picked a white crepe day dress with a brown belt. She also found a pink polo t-shirt and matching sports shorts for walks with Shannon in the neighborhood.
Next, they went to Neiman Marcus and Mary Anne found a denim romper with short shorts.
Dawn found a silk peach bell-sleeved top and white sandals.
Then the girls talked Mary Anne into buying a bikini. She never felt comfortable wearing them before but always wanted to. She got a green one with pucca shells on the straps for detail and a black mesh cover-up that had embroidered palm trees scattered on it.
They returned home and Mona was in the kitchen making vegetarian pineapple pizza. The girls went to change and join Logan, Robert, and the kids already in the pool.
Mary Anne came wearing the bikini and cover-up. Logan and Robert stopped and stared. It reminded Mary Anne of when she got that makeover in 8th grade. She glanced at Mona through the window and she smiled and encouraged her to get in the water.
Dawn and Shannon showed up and everyone had fun catching up with Dawn. It was like old times.
They had their dinner out on the veranda so everyone could dry off. Mona set out the LED flowers in the pool and joined them.
The conversation drifted to the house that was sold by the park and the SHS letter sweater Shannon and Mary Anne saw in the moving truck. They went through all the possibilities. Finally, Mona said, "Why don't you just make a casserole and take over as a welcome to the neighborhood gift?"
They all decided that was a brilliant idea. They would go first thing in the morning on the way to the kid's baseball practice. After a few glasses of wine Robert and Shannon took their daughter and headed home.
Dawn, Logan, and Mary Anne helped clean up the dishes and Mona went to her room for the evening. Dawn was still on California time and said she was going upstairs to read Mallory's new book.
Mary Anne and Logan we're alone at last. They went back on the patio up to the top of the pool's waterfall where the jacuzzi was. Logan turned on the jacuzzi speaker and the soft music of Tangerine Dream wafted through the air. He grabbed some champagne and glasses from the bar. Mary Anne was waiting for him. He poured the glasses and handed one to Mary Anne. "Here's to Dawn, good friends, and your new bathing suit."
Mary Anne clicked her glass with Logan and said "Oh Logan," in her 8th-grade voice. "Did you ever think we would have it this good?"
"It's only the beginning," he said and scooped her up into another bear hug.
Dawn woke up early. She looked around the room. Mary Anne went to a lot of trouble to make her room very HER and she loved it. She got up and put her flimsy bathrobe on over her white camisole and tie-dyed harem pants and padded barefoot to the French doors and opened them. She walked over to the stone balcony and looked out over the property. The house was an absolute mansion. Down below her was the pool, the waterfall, and the jacuzzi surrounded by palm trees and flowers. She breathed in. At least the pollution wasn't as bad in Connecticut as it was in California. She was feeling good about being back, too. She reached the intercom by the door and Mona answered. " Can you bring me up some grapefruit, a bowl of blueberry Greek yogurt, and a strong cup of coffee?"
"I will be right up." A few minutes later Mona showed up with a serving table and silver platter.
"Oh, it looks delicious!" Said, Dawn. "You usually eat with the family don't you?"
"Yes, I do. It's like they are my family and I just happen to work from home as the housekeeper. And I get to live here at the house and am quite comfortable."
"Would you like to eat with me this morning?"
"Thank you, Dawn, but I've got to get the pancakes and eggs started so I will just eat with them for today. I do want to spend some time and get to know you more while you are here."
" I want to get to know you too." And she hugged Mona.
A few hours later on the other side of the property, Logan's alarm started buzzing. He hit the snooze button. He glanced over at Mary Anne in the bed next to him. The previous night had been hot. White-hot. He was surprised that Mary Anne had worn that bikini, but it pleased him. Even though Mary Anne was free from Richard's strictness, sometimes his influence lingered on Mary Anne. But it seemed she was starting to become more free and outgoing all the time. He wrapped her up in a bear hug.
Mary Anne hugged him back but continued sleeping.
When the second buzzer sounded they both got up. Logan grabbed his clothes and put on his bathrobe and headed to the connecting bathroom.
Mary Anne got up and opened the doors to her walk-in closet and got the polo outfit out she had purchased yesterday. She tied the t-shirt in like Shannon had shown her. Looking at her reflection she liked the way she looked but felt her hair was kind of blah. She put it in a ponytail and went off downstairs.
" Mona don't forget we need to make something to bring the new neighbor. Do you want to come with us? The boys will be riding their bikes, but Shannon, Dawn, and I are walking."
"I believe I could use some fresh air. And I want to get to know Dawn more. She already had breakfast in her room this morning."
"Oh good! She's up! Mona will you take my tray up I will eat with Dawn. You can join us too.'
" I think I will wait for Logan."
Up went Mary Anne to Dawn's room. Dawn had showered and gotten dressed in her gray gym shorts and matching camisole that said California in neon on the front." I thought I would eat up here and we could talk. We usually take our lunch to the park on Sundays while the kids have baseball practice. Guess who their coach is, you are going to die!"
"Alan Gray?"
"Nope!"
"Cary Retlin?'
" Wrong again!"
"Well, it can't be Kristy. OMG, it's Bart Taylor isn't it?"
"Yep! Surprise! He is also single and looking better than ever. He is the head of Stoneybrook's Park and Recreation. I figured I'd tell you since you like to go to the park."
"I'll put on some make-up then and then we can go downstairs. Shannon should be along soon and Mona is coming with us too."
Robert, Logan, and the kids raced their bikes up the street. Shannon, Dawn, and Mona lagged talking about Bart.
" I think he is running in the Stoneybrook 5K for the Rainforest coming up. Maybe you should sign up, Dawn. Or maybe we should all go it together."
"Yes, I'm in!"
They stopped because they had reached the house. Logan and Robert had stopped with the kids to wait for them. Logan got the brown paper bag of food out of his backpack and handed it to Dawn. She rang the bell and stepped back. No one came to the door.
"I guess we will just eat this at the park and try again another day."
Disappointed and still wondering, they all headed to the park lost in their thoughts of who could be living there.
It's a mystery, Dawn thought and smiled to herself.
Bashers! Bashers! Yay!"
They had arrived at the park. Logan and Mary Anne's daughter, Amber, and Shannon's daughter, Ray, ran off to join the cheerleader's practice. Logan and Mary Anne's 13-year-old son, William, ran off to join his teammates and Bart.
Logan went to the concession stand to get sodas and grape juice. They sat on the bleachers for a while. Logan was intent on watching the practice. Mary Anne and Dawn sat and gossiped with Mona.
"Oh wow he is cute," Dawn said about Bart.
"Are you going to say hi?" Asked Mona.
"Yes, I will wait until the practice is over though." And she suddenly got nervous. She hadn't dated in a while but was ready for a fresh start. She could ask him to Watson's party. Even if it was just as friends. She knew it was childish but playing Pooh Sticks always helped her think. "Hey, I'm going to go down by the bridge. I will be back in a bit."
She walked along the dirt path. It all looked so familiar. She found two sticks one smaller than the other and carried them to the bridge. She stood at the peak of the arch, closed her eyes, and said," If the small one wins, I ask Bart. If the bigger one does, I don't." And threw them both in the water and watched them come out the other side. "Shit!" She yelled. The smaller one had come out ahead. She threw a rock over the side and watched it plop in the water. Wait a minute. She saw some rainbow-colored film on the surface of the water, a clear sign of pollution. She wondered where it was coming from. She walked down to get a clear look. And right there under the bridge, she saw a big black trash bag. It was on its side and open, but she couldn't see the contents inside. A first, she was going to open it but held back. There could be a broken glass or worse, a dead body. She had to find a stick. She finally found one and crept up on the trash bag like a lioness to her prey. She took the stick and got it positioned at the mouth of the bag and gently lifted it. Dawn sighed. It wasn't a dead body. But what was in the bottles? She got closer and looked inside. They were old chemistry sets from the 50s. Didn't those have uranium in them? Ew. She knew better than to touch it without gloves. Gloves! Don't baseball players wear gloves? Like a bolt of lightning and without much thought she ran down the path, ran straight on the ball field, and straight to Bart.
"Bart! Bart! There's uranium in the brook! Quick! We need to get the bag out!"
"...Dawn? Is that you? What do you mean, uranium?"
"I was by the brook. There are old chemistry sets under the bridge, the kind that got banned in the 50s for uranium, in a bag spilling into the brook. I need gloves to get it out! Please help me!'
"Ok, I have something. Hold on a minute, Logan?" Mary Anne and Logan had come down from the bleachers walking toward them." Can you coach? Dawn found some toxic waste in the brook."
"Enough said. And sure thing," said Logan.
Bart went to a building off from the concession stand and got some cleaning gloves. "Ok Dawn lead me to it."
So much for making an impression, Dawn thought.
