Chapter 9
The restaurant was busy but they were shown a table quickly by the elderly hostess who gushed over Zoe. She giggled immediately liking the woman who introduced herself as Gretchen and forgot to be nervous about going to a nice restaurant. The atmosphere was friendly and lively not unlike the diner they sometimes went to back home. The menu was also familiar. Zoe was immédiately content as their food came out quickly and she happily tucked into her chicken strips and fries.
Ruth chuckled at her niece’s joy sneaking glances at Sarah. There was no doubting Sarah’s anxiety being back in the city and Ruth’s next announcement was only going to make it worse but she hoped to ease her into it.
“So how are you liking New York so far?” Ruth asked looking at Zoe again.
“It’s pretty!” Zoe said between mouthfuls. “Mommy’s taking me to Central Park and the Statue of Liberty!”
“That sounds like fun,” Ruth laughed. “And you’ll be coming to the publisher’s fair too right?”
“What’s that?”
“Well, it’s a little get together us publisher’s have to announce our upcoming books and get the buzz rolling. We’ll be making a special announcement so I hope you both can come.”
“Will you come to Central Park with us?” Zoe asked.
“No…I have to work.”
“But we’ll see you at the fair, right?”
“Right.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Zoe nodded, satisfied much to the amusement of her mother and aunt. They shared a chuckle.
“There’s something else…”
Sarah felt her stomach flip as she warily eyed her best friend.
“There’s a party tonight. I want you to come with me.”
“Ruth…”
“It’s small but it’s the perfect place to reintroduce you.”
Sarah shook her head. She hated parties. Every gala she attended with Lucas was just another opportunity
for public ridicule and pity. Was it any wonder she had become something of an agoraphobe since leaving
him?
“No seriously, just hear me out,” Ruth said. “If we want to eventually reveal you as Rosemary first we have to
reintroduce you…just you. All people remember about you is how you were when you were with… you know who. That’s the person they think you are and they’ll never believe you’re Rosemary with that image. It’s time they got to meet the real you…not that shadow.”
Sarah bit her lip. Ruth wasn’t wrong. Throughout her marriage she tried to make Lucas happy. He wanted her to disappear so she slowly tried to disappear. She really did become his shadow and a shell of her former self. More than that she was a far cry from the fearless Rosemary with a devil may care attitude worthy of a protagonist. No one would ever connect the two of them so for this stunt to be successful people had to believe the truth Sarah so carefully hid.
She glanced at Ruth with something of a resigned expression. Ruth smirked knowing she had already achieved an important victory. Finally Sarah asked, “What about Zoe? I can’t leave her in the hotel room alone.”
“I already asked Tailor to watch her.”
“Grandpa Tailor?” Zoe asked.
“Yep. He’s going to come over and watch you while me and your mommy go to a party.”
“I can’t go?”
“Sorry, sweetie. This party is only for grown-ups.”
Zoe pouted a moment as she munched her fries but perked up at the thought of staying with Grandpa Tailor who she loved. He told the funniest stories and made silly faces.
“I don’t have anything good enough to wear to a formal party.”
“Don’t worry. We can go to Saks after this for a little shopping spree and naturally Briarwood will pay.”
Sarah rolled her eyes. Of course Ruth already had a plan. She still wasn’t thrilled with the idea but Ruth certainly wouldn’t let her back down now.
“That sounds fun, doesn’t it Zoe?” Ruth asked. “We can help your mommy pick out a special dress,”
“Yeah! Mommy will look so pretty!”
“Yes, she will. She’s going to knock the socks off everyone!” Ruth winked at her.
Sarah shook her head but smiled. Sometimes Ruth was incorrigible and she realized how much she missed her friend. They chatted easily throughout the meal catching each other up on their lives. Buth looked incredulous when she learned about their growing menagerie.
After lunch they headed to the department store where Zoe quickly took charge. She was determined her mother should be the prettiest person at the party even if she couldn’t go with her. Sarah could only laugh as the three-year-old shot down every dress Ruth picked out.
“No that’s too dark…”
“Too shiny…”
“Not shiny enough…”
“Too red..”
i
“Too flowery…”
“Too pink…”
When she originally planned this trip Ruth thought it would be easy since Sarah looked beautiful in anything but quickly realized her niece had strong opinions about what best suited her mother. Zoe went from one rack to another giving each dress a cursory glance but saw nothing that met her criteria. Ruth worried they might not find anything in time as the party was only a few hours away.
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Suddenly Zoe let out a squeal, “This one mommy! This one!”
Sarah carefully removed the dress from the rack holding it up against herself, “You like this one?”
“Yes!” Zoe clapped her hands.
“Ooo, that one is pretty,” Ruth agreed. “You have to try it on.
“All right,” Sarah sighed heading to the fitting room with some trepidation. This gown was far bolder than she
had ever chosen for herself but she did like the color.
Stepping out of the changing room she modeled it in front of Ruth and Zoe who cheered so enthusiastically she blushed.
“That’s the one,” Ruth declared. “It’s perfect!”
“Do you like this one, Zoe?”
“Yes! You look really pretty, mommy.”
“All right. I’ll get this one,” Sarah laughed unable to deny her daughter’s joy in anything. She could almost forgive Ruth for this surprise. Sarah just hoped it wouldn’t blow up in their faces.
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