Page 123 of Babies at Coconuts

Chapter 86

The next morning, Julio made warm, flaky croissants and strong espressos for breakfast. Cheri cleaned up the kitchen and slid her finally charged phone inside her purse. The driver had already placed her new designer clothes into the limo. Giving her mother an extended hug and smelling a whiff of cigarette smoke, she wrinkled her nose but decided not to mention her mother’s smoking—this time. Whispering, she said, “I guess this is good-bye. For now.”

Victoria Van Buren rarely showed emotions but Cheri could have sworn she heard a sniffle.

Reaching for her purse, her mother said, “I’m going with you to the airport.”

“Good. I’ll get to see you that much longer.” Cheri glanced around her parents’ modern home to remember every detail. It was magazine perfect. But . . . it was lonely, almost sterile. Tears threatened her eyes. “I wish I could have seen Daddy.”

Victoria’s face hardened. “Me too, darling. Me too.”

Before they climbed into the limo, she and Victoria made promises to visit more often—in both directions—across the pond. Wiping a single tearstain off her mother’s perfectly made-up face, Cheri’s stomach sank. She couldn’t remember ever seeing her mom cry.

The drive to the airport was a blur of mixed emotions. Cheri was excited to get back to her routine and see her friends but sad to leave her mother.

After Cheri and Julio boarded the chartered Cessna back to the States, she peered out the window, waved, and blew kisses. Staring at her petite mom, she decided she wasn’t ever going to mention the fact that Victoria’s newest nose job rivaled that of the late Michael Jackson.

Buckling her seatbelt, Cheri forced a smile as she stared at her wealthy, lonely mother. I want mom to be happy, but I’m not sure she is. Daddy has always been a workhorse but something feels off. She swiped at a tear trailing down her cheek.

Still standing in the small plane’s aisle, Julio broke the silence. “My Cheri, you’re in deep thought. Would you like champagne or coffee?”

Cheri turned toward him. “Nothing. I’m going to sleep.” She paused. “I’m glad you brought me here. Thank you. It was great seeing Mom.”

“She’s a wonderful woman. Too bad your dad couldn’t make it. C’est la vie.” Kissing Cheri’s cheek, he lingered a little too long before taking three steps toward the coffee maker.

Cheri’s thoughts jumbled. As a teen, she fantasized about this moment but never in a million years thought it would actually happen. But something was missing. Maybe it was his age. Maybe it was her. Julio was charming, gorgeous, and gallant. But he wasn’t the one.

After settling in his seat, Cheri said, “Nite, morning, or whatever it is. I’m not sure what time zone I’m in.”

“It’s morning. We’ll be back in the States before you know it. We’ll make up six hours you know.”

“That’s right. Good. I could use some extra time for . . . everything.” Covering her legs with a navy blanket, she adjusted a pillow and leaned against the cool window.

After she awakened four hours later, Julio still sipped coffee. “Did you sleep?” she asked.

“No. Can I ask you something?”

Cheri yawned. “Sure.”

“I’ll be blunt.” Julio leaned across the narrow aisle. “Will you hire me?”

She couldn’t have been more surprised. “Hire you? As a chef?”

“Of course. As a chef at Fifth Avenue Catering. I need a job, my Cheri. As embarrassing as it is, I must tell you I’m behind on my rent.”

Her mouth flew open. “But this-this plane, the helicopter, and expensive meal in Miami . . . How did you pay for it?”

“Your mother paid. She desperately wanted to see you and so did I.” He pulled the lining out of his pockets for obvious emphasis. “I’m flat broke.”

Cheri stared at the back of the seat in front of her, stunned.

Fidgeting, Julio said, “Just think about it. No worries if you can’t. I’ll get by. I always do.”

Cheri couldn’t bear to disappoint him. Her mind flitted to her current chef who she knew would be furious. What should I do? Her pulse quickened. After promising Julio a job that wasn’t exactly available at Fifth Avenue Catering, Cheri cursed herself for mixing business with pleasure. She was uneasy about this arrangement since Julio was a long-time friend of the family. It was bound to get out at her company that he was her childhood chef. She didn’t play favorites at work, never had, and didn’t plan to start now. Her stomach sank. I dread telling my head chef. The last thing I need is fireworks at Fifth Avenue Catering. The food business is volatile enough.

When the plane landed late that afternoon, Cheri gathered her few belongings and hugged Julio goodbye, with the promise of details and employment paperwork within the week. For now, all she wanted was to see her house, her girlfriends, and drink cocktails. She texted Alex, Suzy, and Hope to request a meeting at Coconuts and smiled when she noticed a text from Suzy asking the same.

Cheri called a cab to take her to the parking lot of Bridal Bonanza. Breathing a huge sigh of relief that her car hadn’t been towed, the socialite gave the cabbie such a huge tip that he asked her if she was sure.

“Let’s just say I’m glad to be back in Crystal City and happy my car is here.”

On autopilot, Cheri started her Mercedes and wondered how much she should tell her friends about her parents, Julio, and the mystery earring. Maybe I’ll keep that to myself until I know more.

---