Chapter 3

Certainly not as much as you, Margaret thought. She often considered joining Jennifer, but the girl was a machine, working out as if her life depended on it and on a schedule that she stuck to. Even though the gym was in the house, it had become a challenge for Margaret to get there twice a week.

“It’s an accident of birth,” Margaret said, and that’s how she had always thought of her looks, nothing to be proud of. The way she and Samantha had learned to use their bodies to get what they wanted was another story.

“I suppose you’re right, but I need to...” Jennifer trailed off and looked away from Margaret.

The awkward silence was broken by Jennifer, “Hey, Tony has been working late and going in early. His father must think it’s time for him to learn to run a company ... or he’s trying to keep him away from me.” Jennifer laughed, but Margaret knew the girl wasn’t being facetious, and she very well could be right. “So you wanna have dinner with me?”

Margaret took a minute to act as if she were considering it before saying, “Sure. Do you have an idea of what you want to eat? I’ll tell-”

“No, I’d rather go out and at least pay for the food someone else is cooking and serving me.”

After growing up the way she had, and doing what she had done to survive, Margaret totally got it. It had taken years to become somewhat accustomed to having other people cook and clean for her. She smiled sympathetically at Jennifer and said, “That’ll be great.”

“Thank you,” Jennifer said. “I know a great place, and I’m buying.”

“How should I dress?”

Jennifer laughed. “I’m going just the way I am.”

The words, just the way I am, coming out of the younger version of herself, made Margaret’s eyes sting. It was the code she and Samantha lived by. They were what they were, doing what they had to do, and they wouldn’t change for anyone. She had told Andre, “This is who I am, so don’t ever say you didn’t know what you were getting into.” Full disclosure.

He had given her that dazzling grin she fell in love with and said, “I know, and I’ll take you just the way you are.”

Had Anthony gotten the whole truth about Jennifer, whatever it was?

As promised, the restaurant was a hole-in-the-wall with great seafood and a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean, and Margaret enjoyed it more than she could have imagined. It wasn’t the food, the atmosphere, or the spectacular sunset; it was enjoying all of them with Jennifer.

Margaret had always liked Jennifer and enjoyed spending time with her, but without Anthony or any reminders of the lifestyle he lived, Jennifer was different. Her smile seemed more genuine, she laughed freely, made jokes, and even cursed. It was contagious.

Margaret couldn’t remember the last time she had laughed loudly in public or at all. It was so much fun that Margaret forgot why she had agreed to dinner in the first place.

That was until they decided to take a walk on the beach. Jennifer was happy, talkative, and maybe ready to open up. “Nothing like Kansas, is it?”

Margaret saw Jennifer’s expression and demeanor change and thought she either wasn’t from Kansas or something bad happened there.

“Did I tell you I was from Kansas?”

“You must have because I know,” Margaret said. “Unless Anthony told me.”

Jennifer nodded and kept walking until she finally said, “Definitely not.”

They continued on, but Jennifer’s steps seemed lethargic, and she remained silent. It made Margaret feel bad. She had spoiled the evening with one question.

Margaret offered, “It’s not anything like where I’m from, either.” It didn’t work, Jennifer only nodded.

Margaret crossed her arms and shivered. “It got chilly.”

“Yes, it did, we should head back.”

On the drive home, Margaret tried, but the new Jennifer, who was probably the real Jennifer, couldn’t be resurrected again. She pulled her Toyota up in front of the mansion and told Margaret she planned on spending the night at her apartment. Wherever that is, Margaret thought.

Margaret expected it would be a while before she got to be alone with Jennifer again. That wouldn’t make sense to most people, but Margaret completely got it, and that made her more determined to find out the truth about Jennifer.