The Caterer

Chapter 32

A LICE DROVE THE CATERING VAN behind the minivan full of servers through Naylor Gardens. Rolling green mounds, manicured lawns, kids playing soccer. A lovely Saturday morning, idyllic almost, except for the fact Alice was not ready to officially meet Delany’s ex. The encounter in the apartment lingered, her anger, her presence.

She searched Nadia’s name online finding images of her and Delany from when they dated. Delany always made it sound like a casual hookup, but they were together for almost two years, ending with a well-crafted press release saying they remained committed to parenting their daughter as friends. It almost sounded like a divorce instead of a breakup. Everything he said made things sound contentious, and the fight at his apartment confirmed it. It was obvious Nadia knew who she was and that she was a woman used to getting what she wanted.

While they worked to unload the van into the dark stone gazebo they were using as the staging area, the manicured lawn with established dogwoods and a cornucopia of wildflowers blooming between the trees became a Kentucky Derby-themed tea party with pink streamers and balloons, fine china on the tables. Maybe Helene hit a princess phase while they were in New Mexico.

Some of the servers worked on a popcorn stand for the kids with caramel, cheese, and rainbow flavors. Alice grabbed a tray and carried it to one of the kids’ tables, setting down three teapots filled with lemonade in various flavors. Tiered trays contained a mix of PB+Js, ham and cheese sandwiches, and various desserts, including macarons and mini cupcakes. Another buffet closer to the gazebo held hot food options and a fruit salad in a horseshoe-shaped bowl. The drink menu featured Derby themed cocktails: mint juleps, old fashioneds, and bee’s knees.

Young girls’ giggles filled the air. They posed on the red carpet by the parking lot, two photographers snapping photos and telling them to smile. Little girls waited in line in fun dresses and big hats, the boys in colored suit jackets and maybe a hat. The parents dressed for the theme too. Nadia butted her way to the front and walked with Helene, who was dressed in a multi-layered teal halter dress. Nadia wore a hot pink dress that hugged her curves and a matching wide-brimmed hat. They got through before Nadia released Helene’s wrist, telling her to have fun and stay clean. Alice dipped back into the gazebo, hoping to go unnoticed.

“So, you’re the caterer,” Nadia’s voice filled the space. Alice swallowed before she turned to face her. Highlighted dark hair framed her square face. Perfect eye makeup caused her big brown eyes to pop. She had a fuller nose and plump lips. Alice ran her hands over her backside, feeling dowdy and unworthy.

“I’ve heard about you; heard you’re trying to get Delany into bed in hopes of getting at his money.”

She never would have guessed Bobbie and Nadia were so close. “It’s lovely to meet you. Helene talks about you sometimes. ”

“Don’t say my daughter’s name to me. Don’t act like we’re friends or that whatever you think you have with my boo is going to last more than a month. I’ve done this merry-go-round before. Don’t forget that whatever else he tells you, there’s a real woman waiting for him in Baltimore.” She walked out. Alice felt like someone hit her in the stomach, it took a moment for her to get her breath back.

“You okay, chef?” A younger server came into the gazebo. Alice nodded and turned to find something to do, determined to stay in the background. She could make Helene’s day great from afar and give Delany the fun flavored macarons she made for them to try.

“Hi, Alice.” Helene stood in the entrance to the gazebo.

“Hey, birthday girl! Are you having a good day?” She knelt and gave her a hug.

Helene sighed. “I look like a cupcake!” She huffed. Alice dropped her head and tried to stifle her laugh. She took both of Helene’s hands in hers and met her gaze.

“You are getting a ton of daughter points, believe me.” She knew the feeling, having been dragged out to campaign events since before she could walk. Alice chose to forget the outfits her mother made her wear in middle school.

“Why are you hiding out? Are you mad at me?”

“Not at all. I want to make sure you have the best 7th birthday ever.” She touched her cheek.

“My dad’s going to take me to the Liberty game in New York next weekend. Will you come?”

“I’d love to go.” She hoped her smile was convincing.

Delany stepped behind his daughter. “See, I told you she was here.”

“Can we get a picture?” Helene looked up at him.

“Here?” Alice started to reach for her camera she took to events .

“No. The red carpet.” Helene pointed toward it. Alice looked at Delany, who gave her a hopeful smile.

“Anything for you.” Alice stood and took off her purple apron. She felt silly in her strapless off-white dress with its lace cutout overlay and fringe at the bottom. It was all she had in her closet that might work for the day.

“Sweet Jesus,” Delany breathed.

Helene laughed. “Daddy.”

“Sorry, Bear. Miss Alice looks incredible, doesn’t she?”

“Take your time, chef.” One of the servers put her hand out for the apron. “We got this.”

Delany reached for her hand and kissed the back. He wore a light brown suit with a teal tie that matched Helene’s dress, a Gatsby hat.

“You look amazing,” he said.

“You look pretty swell yourself.”

Helene giggled. Alice remembered she was there and took her hand, letting Helene lead her to the red carpet. She knelt beside her and got some photos before she stood and tried to leave. Delany told her to hold on. He picked up Helene and stood beside Alice, his arm around her. Her heart raced, the thump drowning out the other noise. Delany put Helene down and told Alice to trust him. Before she could understand, he dipped her down. She let out a surprise yelp, then started to laugh. He brought her up and kissed her.

“Thank you for being here.” He held her gaze. Alice could only nod. “I want a copy of those.” He gave one of the photographers his card before redoing his jacket button. Helene ran to play with her friends. Alice tried to retreat to the gazebo, but Delany caught her wrist.

“Hang out for a bit.” Over his shoulder, Nadia huffed, standing beside an older woman with the same square face and dark eyes. Part of her understood that Nadia, like Bobbie, got by on bluster, but did she want to get on the radar of someone who moved through the world so aggressively?

“It’s been a while since I’ve had someone I wanted to be with at one of these things,” Delany added.

“Your daughter’s birthdays hard social events for you?” Alice looked for Bobbie or Carrie. The last thing she needed was someone telling Tabby she was now dating Delany Clare. This was a mistake.

He chuckled and shook his head, sliding his arm around her. “What’s going on?”

“This is just so not my world, Delany.” She felt like everyone was whispering about her, asking who she was. Wasn’t she the caterer? Yes, she was just the caterer. Here was a man who dated supermodels and actresses and women who looked better when they woke up than Alice did even if she tried. Nadia looked like she came from a Vogue shoot. Alice could feel the flour on her fingers.

“This is too soon, isn’t it?” he asked. No, that wasn’t it at all. She wanted to believe what he told her and the feeling his touch sent through her. But she was back to being in Chase’s apartment after the woman dropped her bombshell, questioning everything.

“I forgot, given how much Helene loves you, that this just started.”

“Your daughter does not…”

“She does, Alice. You see her. I can’t say her mother does.” Delany motioned with his head to what was around them. Alice smiled. “Come to the game with us. Please.”

Alice couldn’t stop the beam that took over her face. Delany kissed her, asking if she minded meeting his sister. Olive stood when they got close, in a black-and-white dress that looked like it belonged in the thirties. Alice stuck out her hand, but Olive bypassed it and hugged her.

“I never got to thank you for my wedding.”

The wedding felt like a hundred years ago before Valencia left, and she believed in herself enough to give Hasty Pudding a real chance .

“My brother told me to trust him. I’m glad I did.”

They talked about her time in New Mexico, and what Olive loved to do. Alice forgot to be nervous and enjoyed getting to talk with someone so close to Delany. He always spoke about his sister with respect. Delany put his hand on Alice’s back and pressed a kiss in her hair.

“You’re going to be an uncle.” Olive put her hands on her stomach and tilted her head. Delany took a half-step back before he hugged her.

“When are you due?” he asked.

“Hello, Alice.” Coretta touched Alice’s arm. “Delany said you made today’s meal.”

“Yes, ma’am. I wanted to make Helene’s birthday memorable.”

Coretta smiled and leaned in. “You make my son very happy. It’s lovely for a mother to see.”

“Thank you, ma’am. The feeling is mutual.” Alice sucked her lips and tried to hold back her emotion. Delany was bringing her into the lives of those who mattered most, talking about her to them. It overwhelmed her but showed where she stood. She wanted to return the gesture, if only she could.

“How is your father?”

“You know my dad?”

“Yes, we’ve worked together since the ‘70s…”

“Miss Alice.” Helene reached for her wrist. “Are there any edibles here?”

“What, pretty girl?” Alice put her hand on Helene’s head as she repeated her question. They went to the edge of the garden where there was chickweed and spicebush. Helene ate some, smacking her tongue to get the full taste. She did have an incredible palate. Alice ate a sour clover, more in her hand for Helene to try. The chaos of the party faded, Alice enjoying Helene’s joy.

“What are you doing?” Nadia’s voice broke the moment. Helene held up what was in her hands for her mother to see. “Why is my daughter eating leaves off a bush?”

“They’re edibles,” Helene said. “Miss Alice said…”

“Miss Alice needs to remember her place and go refill the buffet. I didn’t pay good money for my girl to scrounge in the woods like a savage.”

Alice flexed her jaw, debating what to do. The sadness that overwhelmed Helene told Alice the best thing to do was walk away. Remove what only provoked her mother and maybe they could all go back to having a nice afternoon. This was not the time for Alice to assert herself.

“I’ll see you later, ‘kay, sweetheart.” Alice hugged Helene goodbye and started for the gazebo, her hands fisted. She refused to run. Instead, she held her head high, feeling lightheaded and like her skin was on fire. Inside the gazebo, she reached for the disposable platters they used when they planned to slip out early and gave them to the servers, telling them to break down the lines before she started to clean up what was around her.

“That is one pissed off woman,” one of the servers said. Alice looked over her shoulder. Nadia stood close to Delany who held Helene, her head on his shoulder. Nadia’s finger went from being in his face to the corner she found them in. Alice wanted to climb in a hole. She should have stayed in the gazebo. Nothing was worth the ire of that woman. Hopefully Helene was with her father that night.

“I think we’re all set.” Rita came back. “I told the grandmother we were leaving. She said she’d pass the news along.”

Alice found her purse and reached for the keys for the van. She would talk to Delany about Nadia later. It didn’t matter who she was, Alice would not be belittled and humiliated by some jealous ex who refused to accept that Delany moved on. She had been another woman’s punching bag before. Alice refused to be treated that way again.