Now she happily set off to her job two days a week and spent another two mornings a week at the center working out and socializing. She’d never really bothered to explain to George that it was a paying job that got her out the door. He’d assumed she was volunteering, giving away her time and talents for free like she had done for so many other organizations. It was what capable, educated women did in Fair Harbor: take their advanced degrees and experience and give back to the community with endless hours of volunteer work. It never would have occurred to George that it was a real job and it never would have occurred to Abigail to tell him. Money was their second-least discussed topic; sex was the first.

Even her friends, the few she stayed in contact with after the great purge, assumed she was volunteering her time. “You’ve become so devoted to the senior center. It’s so admirable, helping those poor old people,” Arletta Draper declared after a catch-up chat in the produce section of the Stop & Shop. Arletta was at least seventy-five herself but saw nothing in common with the retired social workers, teachers, plumbers, and bank tellers whom Abigail served.

Abigail had been that way once, too. But if the last few years had taught her anything, it was that there was no cultural divide a baked good couldn’t bridge. And while her lemons bars were sweet-and-sour citrus perfection, they weren’t any better than Phillipa’s wedding cookies or Ronetta’s sweet potato pie. She couldn’t wait to tell the team about her handsome, talented son, his sophisticated fiancée, and the sparkling but frugal drinks-only engagement party she was hosting “for the neighbors,” even though the guest list included several Silliman board members, her Mommy and Me group from 1998, the DAR stalwarts, and the few former clients of George’s who’d managed to make money. (She certainly didn’t want the BRSCers to feel left out, but she wasn’t ready to share her three-million-dollar view with them yet.)

Abigail pushed open the doors, silver tray balanced in one hand, and felt great about her life for the first time in years.

Chapter 5
The Media Play

The Mother of the Groom

“Hi, dear.”

“Hi, Mom,” Chase said, for once at a normal volume, not in a hushed tone that suggested he was in a car heading somewhere downtown with his boss. “Do you have a sec?”

“Yes,” said Abigail. “I’m glad you called; I have very exciting news about the engagement party. But you go first.”

“I wanted to let you know that Penny’s mom’s old friend Simon Fox will be joining us for the party. You know, the British guy I told you about? He’s in New York for business, so I hope you don’t mind if Penny invites him.”