Read Online Mary Ellen Courtney - Hannah Spring 02 - Spring Moon by Mary Ellen Courtney - Free Book Online Page B

know. Penny walked in on them.”
    Eric grinned, huge.
    “It was dark,” I said. “Penny said, ‘Excuse me.’ They haven’t been back.”
    “That’s so Penny,” said Anna. “What about Celeste?”
    “We don’t know what Jon’s going to do,” said Eric. “Hannah’s going back to work.”
    “I’m going on location in Italy,” I said. “The kids can learn Italian and eat antipasto.”
    “We never got our kids to eat antipasto,” said Eric.
    “Fine. They can live on pasta and gelato,” I said.
    “Jon will fight you for custody,” said Anna. “He’ll make you stay in Hawaii.”
    “Then I won’t divorce him. I’ll just work far far away. I can get great childcare on location. They’ll be with their mother. He has to go to the other islands all the time. He works nights in a bar. It’s very unstable. Children should be with their mother.”
    “Well, we should draw up a financial agreement. Protect your earnings so you don’t end up supporting Celeste,” she said. “He’ll need to sign something allowing you to take the kids across borders.”
    “This is what happens when your sister-in-law practices family law,” said Eric.
    Chana tapped on the window and gave us a questioning look. Anna went inside.
    “Why couldn’t I just find someone when I was sixteen and get married?” I asked.
    “Because you didn’t,” said Eric. “Let’s eat.”
    “Asp said the kids aren’t welcome.”
    “Screw Asp. It’s not her dinner.”
    “Chance can hear, Eric,” I said. “Ted looks good. Susan is good for him.”
    “Yeah. I know.”
    His nostrils flared and his eyes looked pinched.
    “Are you crying?” I asked.
    “No. I’m pissed at Bettina for not being here for her daughter.”
    “How’s Grace?” I asked.
    “She’s fine. She’s a lesbian. We really like Jody.”
    “Whoa. Too much information. Is that how you answer everyone?”
    “No. I’m just getting used to the idea. I was practicing. Unlike Adam, she didn’t have any problem telling us.”
    “Well, we’ll never hear her complain about Viagra.”
    “I hope to be deaf before any of them complain about Medicare sex.”
    “You going to use it?”
    “Anna says no. I might sneak it.”
    “Be careful. If Arthur is any indication, it’s like crack.”
    He was about to say something, probably claim it was worth the addiction, when their daughter, Grace, came out on the patio and gave me a hug. I lifted my scarf so she could see Chance’s squished sleeping face.
    “Luck,” she said. “Chance is French for luck. Everyone is getting ready to leave, Dad.”
    Asp handed me the diaper bag as we stepped inside. Eric took it and guided me out the door and down the street with everyone else.
    Meggie held Mom’s hand and hopped. Poor Mom. She teetered sideways on some pretty damn high heels. They weren’t the kind of shoes you wear when you’re trying to discourage your Viagra-charged husband. Arthur offered Mom his arm to steady her.
    Eric leaned into my ear, “He doesn’t want coochie out of commission with a broken hip.”
    I started laughing. Chana and Adam glanced back smiling with their easy connection. Our bride and groom led the parade like the royalty for a weekend that they were. His parents seemed at ease ushering a $2,000 dinner bill down the street.
    I trudged on with a baby hitting the ten-pound mark strapped to my sweaty chest. Asp, in her expensive flats, and Uncle Jim brought up the rear. I stood up straighter. I knew she was sniping from behind.
    Dinner was festive with toasts all around. Charlie’s parents made a point of spending time with each person. Their graciousness coiled Asp’s smile extra tight.
    It was an Italian restaurant. Eric offered the antipasto plate to Meggie who took one lick of a pepper and put it back with her tongue sticking out. He smiled at me.
    “Don’t put food back on the serving plate, Meggie,” I said. “You want some skettie and a meatball?”
    I smiled at Eric.
    “She’s