When the coffee was served, several men turned their heads toward the door, and Casey checked to see what they were staring at. Delia had come.
“Hey, Delia,” a few guys said. Several of them waved.
Delia gave a small wave. She walked straight over to Casey and handed her a shopping bag tied with a ribbon.
“Hey there. Walter said I could drop by. I’m glad I caught you,” Delia said, taking a deep breath. “I got you some—” She laughed.
Casey smiled politely, not knowing what to do. “Hi,” she said finally. “Thank you.” She accepted the bag and burst out laughing at the contents. It was chock-full of bath gels and soaps. Every Christmas, brokers’ wives would send her and Casey bath products they bought from some suburban mall. It was the generic assistant gift that no one they knew ever used.
Casey winked. “Oh, how sad, no scented candles.”
Delia laughed in relief. One Christmas, the two of them had piled up the cache of scented candles, soaps, and bath gels from the brokers’ wives. It was nice of them, but did they think single women lived mostly in their bathtubs when they weren’t at the office?
Delia remained standing, and when Casey looked around, there were no empty seats. Walter offered up his seat, but Delia refused. “Thanks, baby, but I have to leave soon.”
Casey got up to stand with her. “Thanks for coming.”
“I got balls to come to this. You think any of these guys saw the tape?” Delia rested her hand on her cocked hip. She blew the wisps of red hair from her forehead.
“It means a lot.” Casey smiled at her, because it did.
Delia motioned toward the bar, wanting Casey to come with her. The others seemed to get that the girls wanted to be alone. They stood close to each other.
“It’s sweet of you. And very funny.” Casey lifted the shopping bag. Then she closed her lips tight, feeling awful about everything. Just two weeks ago, Ella had come out of the hospital after overdosing on codeine. She’d taken too many Tylenol-3’s and had to have her stomach pumped after passing out at Tina’s wedding. For now, Ella was living in Forest Hills with her dad and the baby. As far as Casey knew, Ted was living with Delia. Casey grew somber at the thought. The happy mood between them was broken.
“I know it’s awkward,” Delia said, “but I wanted to explain.”
“No, there’s no need.”
“I didn’t mean to—to come between Ted and your friend. You know how skeptical I am about guys. But we fell in love. Casey, he’s the right guy for me. He’s flawed and selfish. I know that. But he loves me, and I think he’s the one. I know that doesn’t excuse everything, but—”
Delia spoke rapidly, as though she were being timed. Ella wasn’t here, Casey told herself, and Delia deserved to be heard.
“—Casey, I’ve never been in love before. Not like this. He asked me to marry him. And I fought it. I tried to stay away, and so did he. But we need to be with each other. I don’t expect you to understand completely, or for us to be friends like we were before—I mean, I understand how you feel about being loyal to your friend—but we’re friends, too.”
“Ella tried to kill herself,” Casey blurted out, then felt worse than before.
Delia hung her head. She’d felt terrible about this ever since she’d heard.
“I’m not saying it’s your fault, but I am confused by all this. Delia. . .” Casey looked at the gift Delia had brought. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think you’re a bad person. I don’t. And I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I hope you’re happy. I do. I hope it works out.” She raised her eyebrows. “To be honest, I’m kind of puzzled by the great women Ted can attract. I really am. He must be something else.”
“He can be an asshole. And when he is, I tell him to cut it out.” Delia crossed her arms, then uncrossed them. “When I heard. . . she took codeine, I told him to go back to her.”
Casey looked into Delia’s eyes, wordless.
“But she didn’t want him back.”
“I know.” It was true. Ella was filing for divorce, and she wanted full custody.
“I don’t expect us to be friends like before . .” Delia repeated this statement, wanting Casey to contradict her even as she fully anticipated a rejection.
Casey reached over to hug Delia, and Delia held her tight.
“I’m sorry,” Delia said. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for who I am.”