Chapter 64
Suzy chopped garlic and toasted a loaf of sourdough bread. She drizzled it with olive oil and sprinkled the bread with parmesan cheese, parsley, and garlic. As she finished, Izzy marched into the kitchen without a hello.
Wrinkling her nose, Izzy said, “I hate garlic.”
“It’s delicious, plus it’s good for you.” Suzy grabbed broccoli from the refrigerator.
“Eww. Broccoli, too? I’ll just eat Cheerios for supper.”
Ken entered the kitchen and obviously overheard the conversation. “Now, Izzy. Suzy is a great cook. You’ll love her baked spaghetti. If you don’t want broccoli, I’m sure she’ll make another vegetable for you.”
Suzy shot Ken a look. “I don’t want to get in the habit of being a short-order cook.”
Izzy ignored Suzy, as usual. “Daddy, is it all right if Nelly and Paige spend the night? They came home with me after school. Can they eat dinner with us too?”
“That would explain the music I heard blaring from your room.” Ken laughed. “Sure, hon, the more the merrier.”
Suzy’s shoulders tightened. Her son, Jon, would have never done such a thing. He knew to ask before he brought friends over. Jon also never would have complained about food. But Suzy decided to grin and bear it. She could discuss Izzy’s manners, or lack thereof, with Ken later.
Paige and Nelly soon emerged from Izzy’s always-messy purple and teal bedroom. Suzy still couldn’t get over the fact that her beloved, beautifully appointed Weddings by Suzanne office had been turned into a trashy teen cave. A very loud Taylor Swift pop song filled the house. Suzy frowned. Normally, Ken preferred quiet time after work, but when Izzy was around, he turned into a puddle.
Suzy shouted, “Girls, turn the music down. I can’t hear myself think.”
They ignored her. If anything, the song got louder. Meanwhile, Ken appeared to be as happy as a toddler making mud pies. He grabbed a beer, patted Suzy on the butt, walked into the den, and turned on a basketball game. Suzy poured herself a second glass of merlot. Wine was her best friend every time Izzy was around. Without wine, I’d lose my mind.
She donned hot pads, pulled the spaghetti from the oven, and placed hot bread in baskets. After she drained the broccoli and took a green salad out of the refrigerator, Suzy said, “Girls, it’s ready. Ken, time to eat.”
Izzy and her friends trudged to the table like they had cement in their shoes. Izzy’s arms were crossed defiantly and her friends’ faces were buried in their cell phones. One was so absorbed she nearly walked into the kitchen wall.
Izzy eyed the spread and made a face. “Daddy, can we order a pizza? None of us likes broccoli or garlic. Yuck.”
Avoiding Suzy’s eyes, Ken reached for his wallet. “Sure, honey. Here’s my credit card. Order whatever you want.”
Suzy gulped the rest of her wine. This was going to be a three-glass night. She refused to look into Izzy’s eyes, which were most likely dancing since the teen had won this battle.
After the girls disappeared into the bedroom, Ken stroked Suzy’s arm. “Dinner smells great, sweetie, as usual.”
“Glad you think so.”
“What do you mean?”
“Seriously? I worked hard to make this. It’s rude of Izzy to turn up her nose at dinner. My parents never would have allowed such behavior.”
“They’re kids. Teens love pizza. Give them some freedom. We were young once.”
Suzy reached across the table to refill her wine.
“Let me do that.” Ken massaged Suzy’s shoulders, nuzzled her neck, and whispered, “I know Izzy can be a handful but I don’t see her often. I hate to scold her every time she’s here. She won’t want to visit if there’s always an argument.”
For a fleeting moment, Suzy selfishly liked that idea, but when she stared into Ken’s moist eyes, she realized he loved having his daughter around. “You’re right, babe. Let’s enjoy our time.” She sighed. “I’ll let the girls be girls. Maybe we can watch a movie later.”
Ken caressed her cheek. “I love you. A movie sounds great.”
They ate in silence. As usual, Ken complimented Suzy on her cooking. “Where have you been all my life?”
Suzy grinned. “Waiting for you.”
As they rinsed the dinner plates, the doorbell rang.
Neither bothered to go to the door since the girls had Ken’s credit card. Suzy overheard them giggling about the pizza delivery guy and heard bits and pieces of their conversation.
“He’s cute.”
“He’s hot.”
“Did you hear what he said?”
Suzy strained to hear more of the exchange but couldn’t make it out. Soon the girls clattered in the kitchen with plates and glasses.
“Crap,” Izzy said.
Suzy heard the two-liter of soda fizz and spew.
“It’s all over the floor,” one friend said.
“Tell me about it. I just stepped in it,” Izzy said.
Suzy walked over and noticed Izzy’s shy friend, Paige, attempted to wipe up the entire mess with one-half of a drenched paper towel. Both Izzy and Nelly ignored the spilled soda and were already halfway down the hall juggling pizza, sodas, and plates.
Paige wiped and wiped to no avail with the soaked paper towel. “Sorry about the mess. It’s sticky.”
Suzy grabbed a mop. “Accidents happen. Thanks for trying to clean it up. That’s more than Izzy would have—” She stopped herself. “Go enjoy your pizza while it’s warm.”
“Um, I think I should tell you . . .” Paige glanced around. “Never—”
Suzy stopped short. “What?”
“Nothing.” Paige suddenly seemed fascinated with her sparkly silver tennis shoes and avoided Suzy’s gaze. “It’s probably nothing. I think it’ll be okay.”
“What’ll be okay?”
“Something the pizza guy said.”
Suzy placed her hands squarely on the young girl’s shoulders and tipped Paige’s chin up forcing the teen to look her in the eyes. “Tell me. What did the pizza guy say?”
Paige scanned the room, obviously to see if anyone was within earshot. “The pizza guy said there’s a big party at midnight.”
“Tonight?” Suzy asked.
The girl bobbed her head.
“You girls are spending the night here, right?”
“Yes,” Paige answered.
Suzy wondered if she should tell Ken but knew he’d overreact and wouldn’t sleep all night. Sometimes he treated Izzy like she was ten, plus he had told her earlier to let the girls be girls.
Still focused on Paige, Suzy spoke more sternly than she intended. “Ignore the pizza guy. He’s a stranger, remember? I don’t care how good looking he is. Do not leave the house. Do not answer the door. Do you hear me?”
Paige’s cheeks turned red. “Don’t worry. I’ve got homework. I’m a little tired anyway.” She stared at her plate. “My pizza’s getting cold. Sorry about the mess.”
“Don’t give it a second thought.” Suzy watched Paige’s small back as she trod toward Izzy’s bedroom. She wished her stepdaughter were half as polite as Paige. Then she wondered if Izzy had returned her dad’s credit card. She doubted it. Most likely Izzy was thumbing through a catalog and ordering clothes online while wolfing down pizza. Izzy had a nose for money and expensive items.
Ken’s silky voice penetrated her thoughts. “Suzy, where are you? I thought we were going to watch a movie.”
God, I love that man’s voice. “Be right there, honey.”
She and Ken watched Something’s Gotta Give with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson for the tenth time. They never seemed to tire of the romantic comedy. Suzy nearly fell asleep on her husband’s shoulder. She loved snuggling with him on the couch. It was one of her favorite simple pleasures. She didn’t need to be wined and dined at expensive restaurants. Popcorn and a movie with her husband created the perfect night, especially when they were alone.
Suzy stretched and yawned. Ken kissed her cheek and smoothed her hair. “Why don’t you get ready for bed? I’ll be right there.”
“Good idea. It’s been a long day.” Suzy yawned again.
Ken smiled. “Why don’t you sleep in tomorrow? You’ve worked hard all week. I know you’re disappointed about dinner. I’ll make pancakes for you and the girls in the morning.”
Suzy folded the chocolate-brown chenille throw that had covered her legs. “That sounds wonderful.” As she walked down the hallway, music blared from Izzy’s bedroom. She wanted to tell the girls to turn it down but decided to avoid the confrontation. The evening had finally turned around and she wanted to keep it that way.
Before dawn, Suzy got up to use the restroom and noticed Izzy’s bedroom light was still on. I guess they plan to stay up all night. Annoyed, she walked toward her stepdaughter’s room. The curtains flapped in the open window and her bed was empty. “What the—”