“That reminds me. It’s laundry day for me,” Lorna said. “We should go home. I need to be back here in a few hours to set up for the matinee.”
Chapter Thirteen
“Okay, I know I’m forty-whatever years old, but I still don’t know what this extra crotch pocket is for.” Heather held up a pair of panties she was folding. They sat in the living room of Old Anderson House doing laundry. Already they’d filled a basket of clothes Sue could borrow, a variety of outfits that looked nothing like her old life but a perfect combination to create something new.
Vivien glanced at Heather and answered with a straight face, “That’s where I stash my vag cash for emergencies. Carrying a purse is so last century.”
Sue covered her mouth as she choked on her surprised laugh.
“It’s called a gusset,” Lorna answered, folding a towel. “It’s to make underwear more comfortable on the lady parts by covering seams or lace. Also, it’s breathable, so you don’t get yeast infections.”
“I kind of hate that you know the real answer,” Vivien made a face at Lorna. She’d spent more time going through the piles looking for clothes for Sue than actually folding them. “I think vagina cash is—”
“That’s horrifying. I’m going to start knocking.” A man held up his hands and slowly backed out of the living room doorway. Windblown brown hair framed a handsome face. His looks made it obvious he and Heather were related.
“William, wait…” Lorna pushed up from the couch and moved to the window. She frowned as she saw his truck leaving the driveway. “He left without me.”
“He’ll drive around the block and be back.” Heather continued folding her clothes. “He thinks he’s funny.”
“We should talk about tampons when he comes back,” Vivien suggested. Suddenly, she stood. “That reminds me, Lorna. I bought you a gift.”
“Tampons reminded you to give me something?” Lorna arched a brow and joked, “Now I’m horrified.”
Vivien opened a couple of boxes before finding what she was looking for. She tossed a small plastic bag at Lorna. “Housewarming gift. You’re welcome.”
Lorna looked at the bag’s logo. “From a truck stop?”
Vivien nodded. “Open it.”
Lorna pulled out a condom-sized packet and read, “French tickler.”
“They were selling them from vending machines in the bathroom,” Vivien answered. “It made me think of you.”
“Gee. You shouldn’t have,” Heather drawled.
“Don’t be jealous. I got you love gel.” Vivien produced another bag and tossed it at Heather. “It’s banana flavored.”
“Eww.” Heather grimaced.
“Sorry, Sue, we hadn’t met when I got these, but next time.” Vivien sat back down.
“That’s okay,” Sue said.
“Now everyone can have a date night tonight with their manfriends.” Vivien reached to Lorna’s pile and took a couple of folded towels. She handed them to Sue. “You’ll need these, too.”
“What do you think it’s like to be a ghost,” Lorna asked. “I mean, Julia is lucid and seems to feel things. Do you think they feel like we feel, or is it just a residual motivational energy type thing? I’m not sure I’d like being like that forever.”
“I would,” Vivien said. “I want to experience everything, even the afterlife. Though, I’d have to be lucid like Julia, not some moaning phantom doing the same thing over and over, trapped in a loop.”
“What would you do as a lucid ghost?” Sue asked. “Help people?”
Vivien laughed. “I like to think that ghost me would take the high road and try to help the living like solving crimes or whatnot, but if I’m honest, I know I’ll mess with people all the time. And maybe haunt the men’s showers at the gym or something fun like that.”
“That’s the second time someone mentioned ghosts and showers. Julia said the same thing. I might never bathe again,” Sue said.
“Try not to think about it,” Lorna advised.
The door opened, and William came back inside. “Is it over?”
Lorna smiled, instantly standing to greet him. “Fair warning, Vivien’s on a roll but don’t leave. I need that ride to work. Let me grab my purse, and then we can go.”
Lorna ran upstairs.
“Hi Willy.” Vivien smiled at him and wiggled her fingers. “How are you?”
“Has Vivien been day drinking again?” William asked Heather. He remained standing as he waited for Lorna to return.
“I’ve only had one glass of red wine last night before bed,” Vivien said. “That’s the perfect amount to get all the benefits with none of the badifits.”
“Badifits?” William arched a brow. “Please tell me you know that’s not a real thing.”
Sue knew William was Heather’s brother, but he and Vivien bickered like siblings.
“Do you want to see the present I got Lorna?” Vivien offered.
“No.” William shook his head in denial. “Definitely not.”
“Hey, you didn’t get a chance to meet Sue, yet, have you?” Heather interrupted. “Sue, this is my brother William. Will, Sue is one of us. She just bought the bookstore downtown.”
His eyes went to the ring on her hand, and he took a deep breath as if seeing it confirmed something for him. “Hi Sue.”
“Nice to meet you,” Sue answered.
“And she’s dating Jameson Lloyd,” Vivien interjected.
“Really?” William nodded. “Jameson’s a good guy. He helped me change a tire on my truck a few months back. I picked up a nail at one of the construction sites.”
“That reminds me.” Heather reached to take a notepad and pen out of her flannel shirt pocket and spoke as she scribbled, “Buy nails.”
“I got a bunch in the truck,” William said. “What kind you need?”
“Masonry,” Heather said.
“Sure, they’re in the toolbox.” William motioned that his sister should follow him. “Take as many as you need.”
“Awesome, that saves me a trip.” Heather joined him, and they went outside.
“What’s this I hear from Butch about one of your genius tenants tapping into a sewer pipe to fill a hot tub?” William asked.
“It wasn’t the sewer,” Heather said before her voice became too far away to hear.
“He seems nice,” Sue said.
“I’ve known William practically our whole lives.” Vivien studied Sue. “Heather meant it when she said you’re one of us.”
Sue didn’t answer.
“I felt a twinge like you still think you’re interrupting our lives or an intruder.” Vivien shook her head. “You’re not, you know. There is plenty of room in our lives for one more friend.”
Sue nodded. “Thank you.”
A phone dinged. Vivien sighed and sat back in her chair. She produced her cell phone from beside her hip and began scrolling.
Lorna came downstairs. She looked around the front room and frowned. “Viv, did you chase my ride off again?”