Between Land and Sea Read online

  “Do they really have that kind of power?” Barbara asked.

  “Pay no mind,” Gillian said. “As for that kind of power, I think it’s more suggestive than anything else. Our own Kendra makes a living as a psychic in Sedona.”

  “I called her that first day, but I didn’t leave any message,” Barbara said. “I thought she might have noticed my number on call display and tried to contact me.”

  “Don’t count on it. Kendra doesn’t handle details too well. I don’t think she even bothers turning her answering machine on. It always takes me a few tries to get a hold of her.”

  “Do you see her often? Is she of the Etta tribe as well?”

  Gillian shook her head. “No, she’s an Ina. Rosina was her name. She was before your time. She’s been here on earth for over thirty years.” Gillian looked speculatively at Barbara. “In earth years, she’s very close to you in age, but you’ll never find out her real age. She’s determined to pass for thirty-nine.” She added, “We used to get together a few times each year, but she stopped coming to Chicago a couple of years ago.”

  “Did you have a falling out?”

  Gillian winced. “Not exactly. You see Kendra has my coloring—blonde hair and blue eyes. But at her age, more upkeep is involved. I think she’s had a number of procedures done. The last time she visited, a few people asked if she was my mother. That didn’t sit too well with Kendra.”

  Barbara thought sadly of the wasted energy. Why couldn’t these women just accept their ages and move on with their lives?

  Gillian gave Barbara a head-to-toe appraisal. “I think you and Kendra are about the same size.” She got up and left the kitchen. A few minutes later, she returned with a soft, mauve leather blazer and multi-colored scarf. “She left this blazer last time. You might want to wear it while you’re here. It’ll work well with your jeans and black pants.”

  Barbara accepted the clothing with a polite smile. She would make her own decision about the blazer.

  “It’s getting close to eleven,” Gillian said. “How about we get dressed and ready by noon? I’ll take you sightseeing. We’ll have a light lunch around three and then get back here around six. We don’t have to show up to the Christmas party until eight. Are you all right with clothes for tonight? Do you have an LBD?”

  Barbara nodded and mentally thanked Elaine for helping her select the sexy-looking black dress, heels, and clutch purse that would be appropriate for any social occasion.

  Barbara was ready first and waited patiently for Gillian in the living room. She wore her jeans with a black, V-neck cashmere sweater. When she tried on Kendra’s blazer and scarf, she was pleased with the final effect.

  Gillian came out wearing pencil-slim black jeans with a black turtleneck and a lined denim jacket. A large pair of sunglasses rested on her head. She smiled at Barbara and nodded in approval. “The casual look suits you.” She chuckled. “That blazer looks a bit big. I think you’re thinner than Kendra.”

  The women made their way to the parking garage. As she was driving, Gillian described their agenda for the afternoon. “I bought two passes for a double-decker tour. It will take about two hours and you’ll see most of Chicago’s famous sites.” A few minutes later they reached another parking garage. Barbara was looking forward to the bus ride. It would be nice to see the city at a more leisurely pace.

  The tour did not disappoint. Barbara listened attentively as the guide provided an informative and entertaining narrative about the Windy City. They got off at the Willis Tower, Navy Pier, and then ended up spending the rest of the afternoon strolling along the Magnificent Mile. At first Barbara protested against spending so much time shopping, but later realized this portion of Michigan Avenue merited the extra time. She was impressed by the familiar names so often associated with high-profile celebrities. It was her first foray into the worlds of Cartier, Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and the other luxury retailers.

  Barbara noticed that Gillian was very much at home in the shops. Many of the sales associates and a few of the customers greeted her enthusiastically. Barbara’s Bella nature kicked in, and she was surprised to feel a few pangs of envy in her slow-burning competitive spirit. Gillian was an Etta, two tiers below a Bella. In the mermaid kingdom, Ettas did not enjoy the same privileges as Bellas. Barbara decided she would spend Tuesday morning revisiting the Magnificent Mile. She wanted to spend more time on her own in this rarefied atmosphere.

  Chapter 22

  They kept to their schedule and returned to the condo a few minutes before six. Gillian turned to Barbara. “Do you need a short nap? I could set the alarm for you.”

  Barbara shook her head. “No, I’m fine. I think I’ll take a leisurely bath instead.”

  Both women headed toward their respective bedrooms. Barbara luxuriated in her bubble bath and lay back as she took in the décor. The pale green Italian-glass mosaic tiles flecked with gold ran over the walls and floor, providing sparkle and a sea-inspired glimmer. No expense had been spared in outfitting the bathroom with fragrant soaps and oils, candles, and baskets of thick towels.

  Barbara took her time getting dressed and carefully applied her makeup, adding a few dramatic touches. Gillian had advised her to look as hot as possible. She said that was the only way two single women could survive in a sea of smug, married women and their husbands. Barbara couldn’t get over Gillian’s obsession with her looks and the amount of time spent preparing to go out. She wondered if Gillian had any other hobbies or activities.

  This time, Gillian was ready first. When she caught a glimpse of Barbara, she whistled. “You look stunning, Barbara. That lacy black number shows off every one of those well-earned curves, but in a very subtle way. You’re going to get your share of envious and admiring looks tonight.”

  “And you’re definitely hot.” Barbara decided to use one of Gillian’s favorite expressions. Gillian was wearing a short, black leather dress with large, chunky silver jewellery. She had straightened her blond wavy locks and created a golden curtain that complimented the perfect oval of her face and made her beautiful blue eyes look larger and more luminous. She added, “That looks like the dress Jennifer Aniston wore for one of those red carpet events. You could easily pass for her.”

  Gillian laughed nervously. “Thanks, but remember I’m not as old as Jennifer.”

  “Of course.” This constant reference to aging was starting to annoy Barbara.

  Gillian ordered a cab. She did not want to worry about parking or limiting her alcoholic intake. Her employer’s home was on the outskirts of the city, and Barbara was shocked by the sixty-five dollar cab fee.

  They got out of the cab and walked to the front door of a sprawling, ranch-style bungalow. Gillian rang the doorbell and the two women waited patiently. A stocky, older man with thinning hair opened the door and shook his finger at Gillian. “I was starting to worry you weren’t coming. Everyone else is here. You’re over an hour late.” He stood to the side. “Come on in. It’s cold out there and your feet must be freezing. I don’t know why you women insist on wearing those strappy shoes all year round.”

  The two women entered the large foyer. Gillian laughed. “So sorry, Edgar. But Barbara couldn’t resist the charms of Chicago. It’s her first time here, and I wanted to make sure she saw all the sights.”

  Gillian avoided Barbara’s eyes. Though they could easily have arrived on time, Gillian was determined to be the center of attention with her spectacular entrance. Barbara wondered if that was characteristic of the other Ettas. She had very few experiences with them in the mermaid kingdom and could not recall any encounters—positive or negative—with an Etta.

  Edgar turned and offered Barbara his hand. “I’m Edgar Furness. Gillian told us all about you, Barbara.” He turned and spoke to the short, heavy-set woman who had entered the foyer and was offering to take their coats. “And this is my wife, Doris. Doris, this is Gillian’s friend Barbara from Canada.”

  Doris nodded at Gillian and gave Barbara her f
ull attention. “Ah, so you’re the up-and-coming writer that Stewart Tobin is representing. We want to hear all about your book.” She took Barbara’s arm and steered her toward a small group of women gathered around the large fireplace.

  Barbara spent some time answering questions about her book and her life. The women were very attentive and nodded sympathetically when she spoke of her divorce and its aftermath. They appeared sincere and interested. Occasionally, Barbara would glance around the room and notice Gillian flitting about between groups of men. Gillian didn’t spend any time with the women.

  One of the younger women said, “I find it interesting that you and Gillian are friends. How do you know each other?”

  Barbara could feel seven pairs of eyes scrutinizing her. She was glad that Gillian had thought to concoct a story to explain their friendship. “Our husbands were college roommates. They kept in touch with each other and we developed a friendship.” Gillian figured out that Carl and James were about the same age.

  “And that friendship survived your divorces?” Doris asked.

  “Yes, it did. While we don’t see each other as often, we keep in touch by email and telephone. When I mentioned that I was writing a book, Gillian offered to speak with Stewart Tobin.”

  The women exchanged glances. The young woman spoke again. “That Gillian knows how to keep her friends, even after the benefits disappear.” A few of the women tittered.

  Doris looked toward the kitchen. “It’s almost time to eat. I’ll have to check with Anthony.” She turned and explained to Barbara, “He’s one of the best caterers in Chicago. You’re in for a special treat tonight.”

  Doris got up and the other women followed. As Doris went toward the kitchen, the women headed toward their partners. Barbara joined Gillian at the bar. Gillian widened her smile and spoke under her breath, “Don’t feel you have to stick with the women. The men are much more interesting and much less critical.”

  “I’m fine,” Barbara said.

  Doris came out and announced, “Dinner is ready. Please take your places.”

  Barbara and Gillian were not seated together. Barbara found herself sitting near the head of the table with Doris to her left and Marcus, a quiet, older man who contributed very little to the conversation, to her right. Although she was trying to keep all the names straight, she didn’t have to worry. Doris talked with her through most of the dinner, hinting that she would be willing to host a book launch party for her.

  “I’m certain that Gillian will want to organize something for you. But she is limited with that condo of hers. And parking would be a nightmare for her guests.” She waved her arm. “We have lots of space here and can easily accommodate up to fifty people, even more if we hold it outside. When you meet with Stewart, let him know that I can help. All he has to do is call.” Doris sighed and a dreamy expression appeared on her face. “I’ll give you one of my cards before you leave.”

  Barbara was becoming more and more curious about Stewart. Everyone seemed to know about him. “I’ve been hearing so much about Stewart Tobin. He must be well known in Chicago.”

  Doris laughed and lowered her voice to a whisper. “My dear, he’s drop-dead gorgeous, stinking rich, and can have any woman he wants. Your friend Gillian tried, but she couldn’t keep him for long. He likes to love ‘em and leave ‘em.”

  Barbara gasped. “He must leave a lot of broken hearts in his wake.”

  Doris shook her head. “Oh, no. Anyone of those women would take him back in a heartbeat. They all stay friends afterward. Your friend Gillian is no exception.” She gave Barbara a long, searching look. “Be careful you don’t get involved with him. It wouldn’t be wise to mix business with pleasure.”

  “I’m involved with someone else back home,” Barbara said. “And anyway, I’m not interested in younger men.”

  “He’s not that young. Stewart is in his mid forties.” She looked appraisingly at Barbara. “You’re probably a few years younger.”

  “I’m fifty-three.”

  Doris’s eyes widened. “You certainly don’t look it. And you are so brave to admit it.” She laughed. “You could easily pass for forty.” A speculative look gleamed in her eyes. “And how old is our Gillian? Do you know?”

  “I’m not sure, exactly. But I would say late twenties.”

  Doris sighed. “Are you enjoying the meal?”

  It was her first Christmas dinner, and it definitely set the bar very high. Barbara smiled and patted her waist. “I think I’ve put on at least three pounds tonight. But I couldn’t resist any of Anthony’s dishes. Everything was great, especially the oysters Rockefeller and, of course, the turkey. I had a hard time choosing between the desserts, but in the end I went with the English trifle. It was divine.”

  “I tried all three desserts,” Doris said. “The pumpkin pie and amaretto cheesecake were also good.” She looked down at her waist. “I’ll have to get on some kind of diet and exercise regimen after the holidays. Unlike you and Gillian, I put on weight whenever I even look at food.”

  Before Barbara could speak, Anthony approached and whispered in Doris’s ear. She frowned, got up, and followed him into the kitchen.

  “What do you think of Chicago? I hear this is your first time in our city.” Marcus spoke in a lightly accented voice.

  Barbara tried but couldn’t place his accent. European, possibly Middle Eastern? She turned and gave him her full attention. “At first I was overwhelmed, but I am enjoying my stay. Everything and everyone moves so quickly here. It’s so different from Carden. That’s the small town where I live.”

  Marcus nodded in understanding. “I lived in a small town outside Lahr in Germany. For the first two years in Chicago, I didn’t drive at all. I walked or took the El train.” He sighed. “Life was so much easier back then. Now I work for one of the largest Mitsubishi dealers in the Midwest, and I change cars every two years.”

  “What did you do in Germany?” Barbara asked.

  “I taught in a private boys’ school in Lahr,” Marcus said. “When I came here, I had hoped to resume that career, but I found it difficult to get accredited. It was easier and more lucrative to sell cars. I plan to retire in five years time. That should give Annika enough time to launch her practice.” He didn’t sound too enthusiastic about his wife’s ability to generate income.

  Barbara looked around the table and located Annika. The attractive blonde with the colorful two-piece gauze outfit had sat quietly while Barbara answered the other women’s questions. Annika met her glance and smiled.

  Doris returned and made her way into the large living area. The other guests got up and followed. Most of the women went back to sit by the fireplace, while the men congregated in two separate groups. Gillian joined the younger group of men.

  Barbara felt some pressure on her arm. She looked up into the open, friendly face of Annika.

  “I’ve been trying to get your attention,” Annika said. “I want to tell you that I have been feeling the strength of your aura all night. It’s a very powerful one, you know.”

  Barbara smiled through clenched teeth and braced herself for the rest of the conversation. She had hoped to avoid dealing with any of the New Agers.

  “You’re destined for greatness. I can feel it. But it won’t come easily. There are and will be obstacles.” Annika closed her eyes and grabbed both of Barbara’s hands. “I see men. Two very different men, who will want you to follow their paths. And I see a room full of angry women.” A pained look appeared on her face. “Your path will diverge for a while, but do not let that worry you. You have known difficulty before, but you will survive and thrive.” She opened her eyes and let go of Barbara’s hands. She smiled at Barbara and headed toward the fireplace.

  Barbara stood still, rooted in place.

  “What did that witch tell you?” Gillian appeared beside her. “You look pale as a ghost.”

  Barbara managed a half smile. “Nothing important.”

  “I told you not to take thes
e people too seriously,” Gillian said. “But not to worry. This gives us a good excuse to leave early.”

  Chapter 23

  Barbara tossed and turned for most of the night. When she finally dozed off, she dreamt of Sharon and Annika, hands clasped, walking toward her. She woke up abruptly and checked the clock. She groaned in frustration. It was too early for a Sunday morning at chez Gillian. Before going to bed, Gillian had advised her to sleep in until nine. That would give her two hours to get ready before Stewart arrived to pick her up.

  If she were at home, Barbara would have gotten up and busied herself with cleaning, cooking, or errands. She looked about the room for reading material and saw only a few decorating magazines and the latest Newsweek sitting on the nearby dresser. Neither one caught her fancy. And then she remembered packing her devotional.

  She got out of bed and rummaged through her bag. She found the devotional and turned to the bookmarked page. She smiled. Today’s message definitely resonated with her situation—Choosing Faith over Fear.

  She nodded off in the midst of reading.

  “Barbara, wake up.” Gillian was shaking her gently.

  Barbara opened her eyes to see Gillian flipping through the devotional. “Are you becoming religious?”

  Barbara had been surprised by her interest in religion and spirituality. Nothing like that existed in the mermaid kingdom. Annabella and the other elders spoke regularly to the mermaids and mermen about appropriate behaviour and fulfilling expectations, but there was never any mention of a higher power.

  Hannah recommended a few theology books and encouraged Barbara to visit different churches and temples. Barbara enjoyed reading about the different religions and started watching a few evangelists on television.

  “I like Joel Osteen and his message,” Barbara explained. “He is very affirmative and encouraging, especially when he talks about thinking positively and finding the good in every situation. It helps whenever I’m facing a difficult moment.”