Page 11 of Bad Luck Club

“What was it you and Maisie said about being nice to him?”

“Tohim, not about him. And yes, I get that you’ve been burned, and you may not want to jump into the deep end and get serious with someone for a while, but Dan? The computer opponent in a game has more personality than that guy.”

“You’ve been spending too much time around Maisie,” Blue said, abandoning the birds and heading back to her desk. Adalia went with her, sitting in the guest seat while Blue lowered into her ergonomic office chair. Although there was something delightful about sitting in an overstuffed armchair while knitting or crocheting or weaving, a cup of tea beside her, there was a physical aspect to the work, and it helped to have back support.

“And you haven’t been spending enough time around us both.”

Blue shrugged, because it was probably true. She’d been busy, more with the club than with Dan, but part of the reason she’d pulled back was because her friends were so happy and coupled up. They were always together and always with their boyfriends, a natural consequence of Adalia and Jack living together. She was happy for them, genuinely happy, but it made a part of her feel deeply alone.

What must it be like for Lee?

“I know, and I’m sorry for that, but I’m excited we’re all going to New York in a few weeks for your art show. I’m immensely proud of you, and it’s obviously going to be amazing.” She motioned to the space. “And for my humble studio to have borne witness to your genius. Now, let’s get back to your brother.”

“If only you knew how many times I’ve heard that from my father,” Adalia said, but she had a mischievous glint in her eyes still. She might not be Dottie’s biological granddaughter, but she was just like her—a bit manipulative on occasion, but only for a good cause. “What about him?”

“You asked me about Bad Luck Club again yesterday. The rules are still in effect,” she added, because she knew Adalia and Maisie were dying for more details, “the lucky need not apply. But Lee really seems like he’s hurting. I wonder if he might benefit from coming to the next meeting with me. Do you think he’d be open to it?”

Adalia burst out laughing, which wasn’t unexpected, necessarily, but it wasn’t the reaction she’d been hoping for.

“No, I absolutely do not think he’d be open to it. Definitely not if I ask him.” But that merry glint lit up her eyes again, even brighter this time. “But you? Maybe.”

“How?” she asked simply, because she still had no idea after fretting about it all morning.

Adalia snapped her fingers. “We need to bring in the big guns for this one. I’m going to text Maisie to meet us at Dottie’s for tea. She has a bunch of volunteers at the shelter today, so she should be able to take a break.”

“But you just got here. And how do you know Dottie’s up for having guests?”

Adalia grinned. “Oh, my dear, sweet Blue, she’s always waiting for guests to show up. Mark my words. She’ll even say she knew we were coming.”

* * *

Dottie had only been given a half-hour warning, but the kitchen table held a tray with four different kinds of cookies, plus there was a lovely teapot and four cups set out.

“I knew I’d have guests today,” Dottie said, pointing toward her third eye chakra. “That’s why I felt called to spend the morning baking.”

Maisie rolled her eyes, but she managed to make the gesture seem fond. “You always have this much food in your house. The only explanation is that you spend every waking minute preparing food. You’re like a house elf in your own home.”

“Doesn’t stop you from eating it,” Adalia teased as Maisie grabbed a cookie. Did she realize it was shaped like a heart? That didn’t seem like the kind of thing she’d knowingly gravitate toward, madly in love or not. Blue had served herself a chocolate chip one.

“I’m ornery, not stupid.”

“Oh, you girls,” Dottie said, not in the least bit fazed. “Let’s all make our plates and sit down to discuss our dear Lee.”

That gave Blue a little jolt. Adalia hadn’t mentioned Lee in her text—Blue had seen the message. Then again, she’d always sensed that Dottie’s uncanny intuition wasn’t solely an act. Some people had the envious ability to cut to the truth, no matter how many layers of lies or civility or frippery hid it from sight. It was an ability Blue wanted for herself.

Maisie made a face. “Is that why you 9-1-1 messaged me? You know Lee and I don’t exactly see eye to eye. Besides, I’m not sure why he needs an intervention. Other than two verymemorableoccurrences”—at this, she eyed Blue—“he doesn’t even drink.”

“His unhealthy dependency wasn’t on drink or drugs,” Dottie said with the utmost solemnity. “It was on his father. Our boy has been drinking from a poisoned well, and his soul is sick. He needs help.” She looked at Blue as she said this, sending another jolt through her. Because Dottie was describing what she’d sensed, and also because it was clear Dottie, who’d probably never heard of Bad Luck Club, clearly thought Blue was the one who was supposed to help him.

“The kind of help that only the Bad Luck Club can offer,” Adalia said slowly, exchanging a look with Maisie, whose eyes widened. The message was clear. The two of them had been dying for more info about Bad Luck Club for weeks, months, and here was their opportunity.

“Bad Luck Club? What a fool name,” Dottie said, shaking her head as she sipped from her tea. “Why would a person want to join a club that’s named after bad luck?”

Everyone turned toward Blue. She had to be careful here—the biggest rule was not to share the inner workings of the club with anyone outside of it. In fact, it was both Rule #1 and Rule #2, an inside joke between Cal and Bear, because Cal’s favorite movie growing up had beenFight Club.Bear still claimed he didn’t get the “twist,” but he’d privately admitted he just said that to get Cal’s goat. The first two rules had mostly been instituted out of respect for privacy, since members of the club practiced radical honesty with one another.

Especially sponsors and sponsees.

Pushing the thought down, she said, “It’s not about seeking out bad luck…it’s about turning bad luck around.”

---