Then Janette texted him a shopping list. All she really needed him to do was buy that seafood in Eureka, but he’d done much more. Every one of them threw extra groceries into their cars. All of them lived on the West Coast; they met at Janette’s and drove up in three cars, packed to the brim with food, drink, extra blankets and their bags. They also brought poker chips, cards, board games and a five-thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle.
“We may not get to it all, but there is a diversion for everyone,” Janette announced with a smile.
They set the table in the dining room, put the sides of deviled eggs, a relish tray, baked potato slices and condiments on the table, and sat down to eat together through laughter, teasing, poking and praising. Landry sat next to Kaylee and all through dinner he learned how Kaylee and Meredith had been both mother and daughter as well as the best of friends, but they each had these other units of friends closer to them in profession or interest and certainly age. And then over time the groups had blended. Now they were a group that ranged in age from thirty-five to sixty-five. They were all healthy, energetic, scary smart and hilarious. And also very insightful.
He realized he had never seen Laura in a group like this. When Laura was in a group, she was the center of attention. She held court. It was a struggle to get to know the others because she dominated them.
But in this group of friends, who were all gathered to remember Meredith, there were many differences and yet complete equality. They bounced off each other so nicely. Korby was a little loud and the most hilarious, though they were all funny to some degree. Terri was a middle school teacher and the bossy one.
Janette had been Meredith’s closest friend since high school. She’d been a teacher who transformed herself into a counselor, was part of a small counseling practice, and frequently worked for the county in the school district. She was divorced, her children were grown and she lived alone. There was something about her that made her the leader. The others seem to defer to her in a way that suggested she held the wisdom card. And it became clear right away that she was fiercely independent.
“How is John?” someone asked her.
“He’s good,” she said. “He’s working a lot but he’s spending Thanksgiving with his son and daughter and their kids. These patchwork families manage to piece together one way or another.”
“You two aren’t living together yet?” Kaylee asked. “Haven’t you been a couple for years?”
“Six years,” Janette said. “But we’ve both already had spouses and kids and we’re a little set in our ways. Honestly, I’m not looking for someone to share a house with, I just want someone to share a life with. Our arrangement is very satisfactory. We do spend a few nights a week together. And he’s a great travel companion.”
“I want a man with a tool belt to move in with me as soon as possible,” Michelle said, making them all laugh.
“That sounds good, but every time I consider the prospect of being lonely in my house, one of my adult children moves home for a while, usually with kids and dogs.” Janette said.
“You mean when they leave, they don’t stay gone?” Terri asked. “So, you’re saying counting the days till the empty nest is a waste of time?”
“Even I only lived with my mom when I was between apartments, or when she was sick. We liked our own space, yet we were very close,” Kaylee said.
The dinner conversation went that way for an hour until someone finally said, “What about you, Landry? Do you have family? Ex or otherwise? Kids?”
He cleared his throat as if he might be giving a speech. “I was an only child who was raised by my father and my parents are both deceased. No kids but a soon-to-be ex-wife.”
“Really?” Terri said.
“You’re going through a divorce?” Korby asked.
“Yes. But we haven’t lived together for years. I was just too busy or preoccupied to do the paperwork. Same for her, I guess.” He lifted his drink and peered at Kaylee. He hadn’t mentioned any of his plans to her. “It’s all just a formality now.”
“Tell us about your ex,” someone said.
“You don’t have to unless you want to,” Kaylee said reassuringly.
“I don’t mind. Laura is a very interesting person. She’s an actress who has been chasing the limelight for years.”
“She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” Kaylee said.
“You’ve actually met her?” Janette asked.