One More Miracle

“Well my goodness, Anna O’Reilly, how are you?” Anna looked up from the book that she had been reading while she waited for Ali to return from massage therapy. “Ethel,” she said and rising from her chair she crossed the room and hugged the tall dark-haired woman standing in the door. “I heard your Alice had an accident, and I meant to call. That’s so sad. How is she?” Every word was weighed with concern. “Well, thank God she is out of the coma, but there is a long way to go before she can have a normal life.” “You poor darling, it must be so dreary for you sitting here day after day,” Ethel said, “I don’t mind,” Anna replied. There was a time the two of them had been good friends. They hadn’t seen each other much for a couple of years and now Anna tried to remember why she had stopped spending time with Ethel. “What are you doing here, Ethel?” Anna asked wanting to change the topic from her life. “My friend’s mother is not well, and she probably won’t live much longer. I just came to say my good-byes,” she said in her sweetest and saddest voice. “By the way, I heard that you and Jack have split up.” Anna nodded not really wanting to get into a discussion on her marriage. “My God, Anna. I’m so sorry. When did that happen?” “Almost two years ago,” Anna responded. “Oh my, you must have been devastated. What happened? I always thought the two of you were the perfect pair.” “Sure you did,” Anna thought, irritated and not knowing why. She found herself remembering how Ethel liked to flirt with Jack on every occasion, always complimenting his many talents . . .as well as his ass. “He left me,” Anna said knowing that Ethel already knew the answer to the questions she was asking. Ethel was a good person, but she loved to gossip. There was nothing she didn’t know about anyone and nothing was too private for her to spread. “Just walked out!” Ethel said, feigning shock. “I heard that he just left without a word.” “Pretty much,” Anna answered, determined to end the conversation on this topic. “Aren’t men pigs? Well you already know what happened to me. He was out screwing around behind my back, packing his secretary for years before I found out.” Anna was amazed at how this woman could change from a genteel model of sweetness to a mealy mouth with such ease. But that was Ethel! “You know, I haven’t had a man for twenty years.” Ethel continued ruefully. “Can you just imagine what I’d do with one now if I had him in my bed. I’d kill the poor begger.” Anna had to laugh in spite of herself. Ethel always did say the most outrageous things. Ethel continued, “So how about you, Anna. It must be strange for you not getting any when you were used to it. And you have to admit, Jack was hot. I always wondered what he was like in bed.” “Oh Ethel, you are out of control,” Anna laughed again. “Where do you come up with it?” “Well, my dear, when you not getting any, you tend to think about those who are. So, do you miss it, or have you found someone else to do the job?” “Ethel, for God’s sake, give it up,” Anna responded good humoredly. She certainly knew better than to share the most private details of her life with Ethel. Ethel relented when she saw no gossip was forthcoming. “Well have you met anyone you could have an affair with?” “ Ethel! I’m not divorced yet,” Anna said, trying her best to side step the issue. “If Ethel only knew!” she thought. “What! You didn’t divorce the bastard. Anna, my Christ. Let him go, honey. Move on.” Anna just shook her head and smiled. “Enough of this talk, Ethel. How have you been and what have you been up to?” “My dear, I’m busy as usual. I still take much of the responsibility for Momma, poor old dear. That keeps me pretty busy.” “You always were good to your mother,” Anna said truthfully. “Yes, you probably know better than anyone, Anna, how giving and generous I am. It’s not something most people realize.” Anna nodded in agreement. It was true that Ethel had a generous nature. “Haven’t fallen in love yet yourself, have you?” Anna asked. “No, my dear. Good men are hard to come by.” Ethel replied. “I’ve been on my own so long, I don’t think I could adjust to living with someone else. But I wouldn’t mind having a boy-toy to ease my stress, if you know what I mean,” This was said with such sincerity that she had Anna shaking her head in disbelief. Just then something outside the window caught Ethel’s eye. “My God, just look who’s out there in the parking lot - Steve, oh what’s his name? I taught his kids in school.” “Do you know him?” Anna asked innocently, knowing full well that Ethel knew everyone. “Yes. I’ve met him. Do you?” Ethel returned curiously. “Sure, his wife was here in this home last year before she died.” Anna didn’t want to share their relationship with this walking gossip column. “Well, Anna, stay clear of him. He is a real womanizer.” She stopped and waited for Anna to show some interest so she could carry on. When Anna didn’t respond in what she considered an appropriate amount of time, she carried on with her story anyway. Ethel lowered her voice to a very loud whisper. “My friend, Maise told me that she walked in on him and Rayna going at it like a couple of rabbits last week in Rayna’s kitchen. Thought there was no one around! Her dress was up around her waist and his hands, well, I won’t even say where they were. Isn’t that disgusting! And then Maise said that she heard that he was always like that. Screw anything that walked. In fact, she told me Rayna said he begged her to spend the night at his house. Imagine and she a married woman. My dear there is something wrong with him.” Ethel stopped for a breath. “Anna, are you all right? You look pale.” Anna tried to speak normally as she did her best to control the urge to shake Ethel really hard. “Are you sure it was him? You haven’t got him mixed up with someone else?” Anna said, barely able to control her annoyance. “It wouldn’t be the first time,” she wanted to add. “No, it’s him. My dear, I could tell you five more stories if you like.” Anna held up her hand. “No, Ethel. I don’t want to hear any more stories. You know I hate gossip.” Ethel looked offended. “You know I’m not a gossip, Anna. I was just saying, is all. I wouldn’t want you to get tangled up with the likes of him. You haven’t got the hots for him or anything have you?” Ethel squinted her eyes as she tried to get a better picture of Anna’s reaction. “I’ve known him for a while, Ethel. And he seems like a very nice man, in fact I’d say a real gentleman.” Anna told her firmly. “Well, I’m only telling you what I heard. Don’t shoot the messenger.” Ethel responded huffily, then continued, “I don’t care who he screws. I know if I woke up in the middle of the night to find him on top of me, there’d be no complaints.” She turned back to the window. “I wonder what he is doing here.” When Anna didn’t answer, Ethel continued, her voice more conciliatory. “I wouldn’t want you to get hurt again, Anna. I know how bad getting dumped by your husband is, I’ve been there. You know I’m very protective of my friends, and we have been close since grade school.” “I know, Ethel, but he had a very difficult time since his wife got Alzheimers, and it seems wrong to be spreading harmful gossip about him.” “My dear, I told you I’m not bad mouthing him, I’m just saying, that’s all. So if you’re going to be alone with him any time, watch yourself or better still watch his hands. I don’t want people gossiping about you.” When Anna just looked skeptical, Ethel headed for the door. “I have to run. Momma is waiting for me to take her shopping. It was nice seeing you, Anna.