Page 117 of Wicked Player
“Hey, Judy,” I say. “I still miss you so much. Every day.”
I pause for a beat, and study her headstone. It’s too beautiful to describe; a carved angel leans over a large marble heart. Carved roses abound, and there’s sadness to it, but also hopefulness.
Wife, mother and friend, it reads. She was so much more than that.
“Christian is doing really well,” I tell her. “He’s enjoying the summer, isn’t that right, Christian?”
He nods happily.
“He loves it at Colton’s.”
“We just painted my room,” he tells her. “And we decorated it in a space theme. There’s a whole solar system hanging from the ceiling.”
I laugh. “It looks like a science center, but he loves it. He and Colton had a blast putting it together.”
I smile, wishing she could hear, wondering if she can, from up above.
We say goodbye and rise. Colton takes my hand, and we walk over to his mother’s grave. As it happens, she and his sister are buried in this very cemetery, side by side. Colton always leaves roses on both their graves. His words are few as he sets down the bouquets. “Love you, Mom” and “Love you, Sis.”
We have lunch at McDonalds because it’s my birthday and it’s what I want. Needless to say, Christian is a happy camper. I indulge in a Big Mac and fries and a shake. Colton is having a Big Mac too and enjoying it just as much as I am, even if he would never admit it.
When we finally get home, I’m pleasantly surprised to see Cassie when she greets me in a white bathrobe and a glass of champagne in her hand.
“What the…” I ask, confused.
She takes my hand, and leads me to the bottom level. “Come with me, birthday girl.”
Colton nips at our heels, and when we get downstairs, I see a makeshift spa set up in the rec room right next to the bar.
“I told you I had something planned for you,” Colton says, a playful grin lining his lips. “You girls enjoy,” he says before leaving. “Christian and I are going tubing and fishing.”
Cassie smiles wide, pink cheeked. “Have I told you how much I love your boyfriend?”
I laugh as I offer my hand to the two friendly looking young ladies. The older one introduces herself. “I’m Beth,” she tells me. “And this is my daughter, Anna.”
“So nice to meet you. I’m Clara, and this is my best friend, Cassie.”
Beth smiles. “Are you two ready to get pampered?”
“Yes,” Cassie cheers, and sets her flute of champagne down. “Let the pampering begin.”
I smile as my gaze darts about the space; two spa beds, two folding chairs, and a cart full of beauty products, gadgets and towels. There’s even a towel steamer.
“We’ll start with facials, followed by body massages, and finally, mani-pedis,” Beth tells us. “How does that sound?”
“Uh… great!” I say, still speechless.
Beth hands me a bathrobe, and urges me to go to the powder room and take my clothes off. I scurry quickly, thinking this is the best day ever. First McDonald’s, then a spa day.
An hour later, we’ve had our facials, and we’re both lying on our stomachs enjoying massages.
“This is the life,” Cassie says.
“Yessss,” I moan. I’m not usually the type to get massages, but I’m loving every minute of this one. The only times I’ve ever indulged has been with Cassie. “Hey, was this whole thing your idea?”
She laughs. “Of course.”
I smile. “Way to make the most ofmybirthday,” I tease.
