The Caterer

Chapter 37

A LICE PACKED HER OVERNIGHT BAG for New York. The last time she went to the city was with her ex. They went to an overpriced Italian restaurant and a bad Broadway show he wanted to say he’d seen. Their hotel was centrally located, but like always, he refused to leave. Alice told him to enjoy himself and went to see the city. She wandered around questioning what the hell she was doing. With a ring that felt nothing like her on her finger, she told herself to be happy he’d noticed her and suppress her questions and frustrations.

“Where are you going?” Paul stood in the doorway.

“A friend invited me to New York City for the weekend.” Alice kept packing. Paul sat on the edge of the bed.

“You’re moving out?”

She nodded. If Paul knew, Tabby did. She’d managed to muck things up. Her phone buzzed, Delany waiting. She put the last things she needed in her bag.

“Tell the twins I’ll be back tomorrow. ”

She reached for her overnight bag and slipped out the front door. In the elevator she pushed it all from her mind—Bobbie, Nadia, Tabby, the mountain of yarn she needed to find a way to undo. For twenty-four hours it was about being with Delany and Helene. Everything would still be there Monday.

Helene waved from her open window. Alice caught her hand and kissed her fingers. Delany opened the trunk and asked for her bag. She walked back to give it to him. He kissed her hello, reaching to hold her.

“Daddy, let’s go!” Helene called. Alice got into the passenger seat. It was a short drive to DCA, Alice never having flown on a private plane before. Helene claimed her favorite seat, one that gave her the best view of the city on takeoff. Alice sat next to Delany on the couch across the aisle, her legs tucked up under her.

The plane took off, Helene telling Alice to come see the view. She sat in the chair across from her. Helene pointed out things on the ground, asking if Alice could see them. Alice settled into her seat as they rose higher over the city. The flight attendant asked what they wanted to drink. While she went to get it, Helene unfurled her tray table, taking a collection of snacks out of the small backpack she’d worn on the flight.

“You’re prepared for this.”

“You’ll learn.” She went to the window again. Delany reached for Alice’s hand and pulled her back to the couch. The flight attendant came back with their drinks before leaving them alone.

“And three, two, one.” Delany counted down. Helene slumped against the side of the chair, passed out.

Alice laughed. “If only I could sleep that well on a plane.”

“She’ll be out until we land.” Delany took a drink of his beer.

She got up her nerve. “Did you tell Eddie to hire me?”

His head twitched as he scowled. He set his beer down and turned to face her more on the couch, resting his head on his fist.

“No. Eddie called me, asked if you might be interested. I don’t tell people who to hire.” He glanced at Helene. “I want the best people around me, that’s why Bobbie’s sister isn’t my admin and no one from the neighborhood was going to represent me. I refuse to hire my friends because it’s expected. Is that what was bothering you last night?”

She debated whether to be honest. With her ex, it was about keeping him happy and minimizing getting yelled at for things when she was never sure what she did. She looked at her hands. “Kind of. I wonder if people will think I’m a good chef if we’re together and I work for you all over the place.”

He moved to put his hand on her wrist but stopped, his eyes downcast. She started to take it back, not wanting to ruin the weekend, but she had to know.

“Eddie appreciated your work ethic and the way you handled yourself. To be honest, I think he only called to ask because he knew you already have a job you love. I can’t help what shortsighted people think, but no one who tastes what you do will ever think you get by on my name. Don’t turn down something you want because of me.”

She nodded, ready to move on. He shifted on the couch and reached for his drink again. Alice thought about retreating, to sit across from Helene and pretend to look at the view. Instead she rested her head on his shoulder. He put his arm across her, his hand holding her thigh.

“Maybe we can hang out after I drop her off tomorrow.”

“I don’t have to be anywhere until I meet my mom at my place on Monday.”

“Your place?” He waited while she sat up to look at him again.

“I’m moving home. My mom offered to update things, new paint, etc. I haven’t seen my apartment in over a year so don’t know what needs to be done.”

“So, you’ll be closer to me.” He beamed. She nodded. He leaned in to kiss her, Alice praying her heart was right .

She held Helene’s hand as they found their suite at The Barclay Center and followed Delany inside, others already waiting. Helene slipped her hand free and ran to say hello to a girl her age she knew well. Alice stopped, Delany talking to Seth Landry, MVP of the league last year. The man was taller than Delany, more filled out. They’d played each other more than once in the Finals. Seth hit Delany in the chest, both laughing.

“Seth, this is Alice.” Delany reached his arm out for her. Alice stumbled over what to say.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Seth shook her hand. “Now I know why you refused my offer to Cabo.”

“I have an empire to run, man. Money doesn’t make itself.”

“Please, you can run off to save the world, but not come hang out with the misses and her friends. What do you do, Alice?”

“I’m a chef.”

“Next time you’re in town, we’ll have you over. Alice makes the best Cuban food.”

“Sold.” Seth said hello to another couple as they walked in the suite. Delany kept his arm around Alice and led her to the leather chairs where Helene and three other girls chatted away.

“I didn’t realize there were going to be other people here.”

“That okay?” He kissed into her hair. “I want people to know you, show off my girl.”

She sat in a chair across the aisle from Helene and her friends. Delany stayed briefly before going to talk to those inside. Alice felt she should go mingle, but what could she say to that level of wealth? At any other time, she’d be the one ducking in and out to refill the buffet and clean up. Everything she wore was secondhand. The only trips she’d been on in the last ten years someone else paid for. She didn’t own a car, couldn’t name more than a couple in the price range these people drove. Just before halftime, Delany motioned for her to come over. She exhaled, hoping she was enough. He introduced her to another player and his wife. Alice fought to get out of her head and think of something to say. Ask about their kids, what they did all day, the last place they traveled. Over the last three months she interacted with CEOs, people in Congress, donors. But it was always with her chef’s coat on, always from a role in which she felt confident and in control. Did she have anything to say without her food around to give her credibility?

Delany carried Helene to their hotel room. Laying her on the second bed, he took off her skirt before slipping her under the covers. Alice asked if she could get ready for bed first. Looking in the mirror, she tried to keep the panic from consuming her. What was she doing? She came out and Delany slipped in behind her. Staring at the two beds in the room, Alice was unsure what to do. She climbed into bed with Helene who laid toward the center, her fist barely outside her lips. She hoped Tabby would find a way to get over her anger and let the girls be friends. Annie would have been all over the trip, given Alice someone to hang out with. Delany came out, asking Alice if she wanted to sleep with him.

“I don’t know how that will look.”

He sat on the bed. “I can stay with her.”

“I’m already here. Sleep well, okay?” She put her hands under her head. Delany got into his bed and turned off the light. Alice waited for the traffic and activity outside to lull her to sleep.