Page 117 of Babies at Coconuts

Chapter 82

Cheri spread her arms, peered at the blue sky, and twirled in place like a young girl. “I can’t believe I’m actually here. In Paris. I haven’t been back in years.” She scanned the piazza brimming with Europeans and tourists. “I forgot how gorgeous it is.” Giggling, she said, “Europeans have much more interesting architecture—and shoes.”

Julio glanced down at his brown, sleek Italian leather shoes. “That we do. What would you like to do first? Grab a bite? See the sights?”

“I can’t wait another second to see my parents. They’ve been traveling abroad for a few years.”

“I had a feeling you’d say that, My Cheri. I already texted your mom. She’s waiting for us.”

~ ~ ~

“Darling, it’s so good to see you.” Dressed in white leggings, an off-the-shoulder white cashmere sweater, and dripping with enormous diamonds, Victoria Van Buren kissed both of Cheri’s cheeks and hugged her daughter as if she hadn’t seen her in a decade. Placing her hands on Cheri’s shoulders, she said, “Look at you. My beautiful daughter.”

“Good to see you as well, Mom. Don’t get too close. I’ve had the same clothes on for two days and sweated like a horse at the cake competition.” She glanced at Julio. “Seeing this guy was quite a surprise to say the least.” Shaking her head, she said, “You two sure shocked me.”

Victoria reached for a half-empty martini. “No worries, darling. We can fix the clothes issue. My closet is your closet.”

“Thank goodness. You look great, Mom, but a little thin.” Cheri eyed her mother. “Are you eating enough?”

Laughing for far too long, Victoria held her drink in the air. “I get plenty of calories—and a lot more fun—from this.”

Cheri’s mind raced. With the time change she wasn’t sure what time it was but knew it was very early in Paris, much too early to be drinking hard liquor. Deciding to change the subject, she said, “I need to charge my phone. I hope you have a universal charger.”

“Let’s worry about that later.” Victoria turned to Julio and embraced him. “Thank you for bringing my daughter here. I’ve missed her beyond words.”

Cheri noticed her mother almost teared up. Normally, Victoria Van Buren didn’t show emotions. Studying her still-glamorous mother for the first time in nearly two years, she wondered if she enjoyed living in another country and away from her New York friends. If Julio weren’t there, she would simply ask her mom outright if she were happy but felt uncomfortable broaching the subject in front of him.

“How long will you be here?” Victoria brightened. “We can go shopping in Milan, take a gondola ride in Venice, go to Florence, and—”

“Sorry, Mom, just three days and that’s pushing it.”

“What?” Victoria pouted. “You just got here.”

“We’ll make the most of our time. I own a business, remember? I have employees, clients, and several upcoming events in New York and Crystal City. Had I known about this, maybe I could have stayed a week or two but it’s not possible without prior planning.”

Victoria’s frozen face almost fell.

Cheri hugged her mother. “I’m sorry I can’t stay long but you can always come and see me. We’d have fun in Branson and Crystal City.”

Taking another sip of martini, Victoria said, “Maybe I’ll come to New York when you’re there, but I don’t have any interest in some rural town in Missouri.”

“It’s lovely and peaceful but whatever.” Glancing around the plush, all-white living room, Cheri said, “Where’s Daddy?”

Victoria rolled her eyes. “Either at a meeting, the gym, or his office. You know your workaholic father. Hopefully, he’ll come by tonight. He wasn’t here last—”

Cheri’s voice rose a notch. “Didn’t he know I was coming?” She watched as something crossed over her mother’s eyes and felt a lump swell in her throat.

“I’m sure he’ll make time for you if he possibly can.” Forcing a likely fake facade, Victoria asked, “Who wants some hot tea?” Before they answered, she led the way through her gleaming home filled with modern art and original Picassos.

Julio salivated over the art pieces as Cheri worried about her mother’s too-thin backside. “Let me help, Mom.”

After they drank several cups of hot tea, Cheri and Victoria disappeared into her bedroom. Before the door was closed, she asked, “What’s going on, Mom?”

Stiffening, her mother said, “Nothing’s going on. What are you talking about?” She avoided eye contact with her daughter and led her to a massive mirrored closet. “What would you like to wear? I have a new Coco Chanel dress and a gorgeous red Stella McCartney jumpsuit that would look smashing on you. Oh, and some new gold Louboutin heels. Want to try them on?”

“I’d rather chat or shower.” Cheri sat on a plush stool in front of a makeup mirror. Bottles of expensive perfume lined a shelf in the closet. Cheri also noticed a wine bottle chilling but decided to let it go.

“Why don’t you shower first?” Victoria plucked a thick white robe out of her closet, gold house slippers with her monogram, VVB, and handed Cheri two luxurious, white towels. “Scoot, darling. We’ll chat later.” Chuckling, she said, “And use some of my perfume while you’re at it.”

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