Summer Island

“Dont make me sound so shallow. Theres more to it than that and you know it. ”

Ruby was instantly contrite. She hated how easy it was for her to say hurtful things--even to the people she loved. When Mom had left them, Caroline had been the one who held the family together; even though shed been no more than a teenager herself. Shed stepped up and been everything Ruby needed. Without Caroline, Ruby honestly believed she wouldnt have made it through that awful year. “Im sorry. You know how goodness brings out the worst in me. ”

“Im not so good. Yesterday, I said some really nasty things to her. I couldnt seem to help myself. I was so mad. ”

“You talked to her? What did she say?”

"Shes sorry. She loves me.

Ruby snorted. “Yeah, just imagine if she hated us”

Caroline laughed. “Im going to call her when calm down. Maybe we can finally talk about some of the things . . . you know, the stuff that matters. ”

“Nothing she has to say matters, Caroline. Ive been telling you that for years. ”

"Youre wrong about that, Rube. Someday youll see that, but for now, all I know is that this thing is going to get a heck of a lot worse before it gets better.

“Only for you, Glenda. Im not the one who keeps trying to forgive her. ”

Before Caroline could respond, the doorbell rang. It played a stanza of I just met a girl named Maria . . .

Ruby made a mental note to change the damned bell. Max had thought it was funny; Ruby disagreed. gotta run, Caroline. Theres someone here to see me. With my luck, its probably the landlord, looking for my rent check. "

“Take care of yourself. ”

“You, too. And kiss my niece and nephew for me. ” She hung up, then decided not to answer the door anyway. It probably was the landlord.

She went into the kitchen. Flipping through the mostly empty cabinets, she found a half-full fifth of gin and a bottle of vermouth, both of which Max had obviously forgotten. She made herself a martini in a Rubbermaid container; then poured the drink into a plastic tumbler.

By the third repeat of “Maria,” she gave up. Taking a quick sip of the martini, she padded across the shag carpeting and peered through the peephole.

It was Val, standing beside a woman so thin she looked like a windshield wiper.

“Oh, perfect. ”

She wrenched the door open. Val grinned at her. He looked acutely out of place in the dim, ugly corridor.

Val leaned forward and kissed Rubys cheek.

“Hows my newest star?”

“Fuck you,” she whispered, smiling brightly at the strange woman. “I never saw it coming. ”

Val drew back, frowning. “I tried to call you. I even sent a messenger over. You didnt answer the door. ” Ruby would have said more, but the way the lady was watching them made her uncomfortable. She turned to her, noticing the womans severe haircut and expensive black dress. An unlit cigarette dangled from her bony fingers.

New Yorker. Definitely. Maybe a mortician.

“Im Ruby Bridge,” she said, extending her hand.

The woman shook her hand. Firm grip. Clammy skin. “Joan Pinon. ”

“Come on in. ” Ruby backed away from the door, made a sweeping gesture with her hand. She tried not to see the apartment through their eyes, but it was impossible. Tacky furniture, dusty shag carpeting, garage-sale decor.

Val went right to Maxs old velour Barcalounger and sat down. Joan perched birdlike on the end of the sofa.

Ruby flopped down on the sofas other cushion. She took a sip of her drink. A big gulp, actually. “I know its early for drinks, but its not every day you see nude pictures of your mother and lose your career. Ill probably get hit by a bus later today. ”

Val leaned forward. “Joan is an editor from New York. ”