Getting Old Can Kill You by Rita Lakin Read Free Book Online Page B

if she had one face-lift too many. Her skin is sallow despite a layer of cosmetics. Her cheeks seem rigid and inflexible. Her red hair is very thin as well. Too many bleach jobs? Her clothes are expensive, no doubt about that. She had or still has a lot of money. She wears an elegant Chanel-style pantsuit. Where Arlene has aged gracefully, this woman seems as if she’s been to hell and back.
    Arlene whispers, “She’s coming this way.”
    I watch Joyce, drink in hand as she greets the other residents. She’s cool but friendly enough.
    Arlene stiffens as Leah and Joyce reach us. “I’d like to introduce you to our new tenant,” Leah announces, trying to hide any feelings she has about this strange turn of events. “Joyce Steiner, who’s subletting Seymour’s apartment. She asked me to introduce her to everyone.”
    There’s a silence as Arlene doesn’t dare look at Joyce. I watch this newcomer with a smile pasted on her face as if she’s bored and going through the motions.
    Evvie fills the void, but I don’t take my eyes off the two women. “So we heard through the grapevine, Seymour’s gone off on some trip?”
    Leah says, “He’s taken it upon himself to go on a vacation or something. I walked in one morning to make his breakfast and there was a letter telling me he’d be back, maybe in six months, and he’d already sublet to Mrs. Steiner.”
    “How so unlike Seymour,” Evvie comments.
    “You’re telling me? You could have blown me away with a feather.” I sense Leah trying to hide her hurt feelings. With a pinch of anger, as well, for his ingratitude?
    Suddenly Joyce Steiner shrieks, “Arlene? Is that you? Arlene!” She peers through her glasses to see better and moves closer for another look.
    Arlene finally glances up. She shrivels up and says nothing.
    Joyce rushes to Arlene and throws her arms around her, hugging and kissing her cheeks. Arlene is tugged away from my arm. “I can’t believe it!” Joyce glows with happiness as she addresses the group of us. “This is my dear, dear friend Arlene. We haven’t seen each other in a gazillion years!”
    Arlene pulls away, out of Joyce’s grasp.
    As an animated Joyce turns and faces each of us, showing her delight, Arlene whispers, “Fifty-five years and three months to be exact.”
    I’m the only one who hears her.
    Joyce shakes her head in wonder. “What a fantastic coincidence. I searched for you everywhere and I never could find you. And here you are! And look at you! You look gorgeous.” She laughs. “Me, I look like an old hag, but you!”
    Arlene stares at Joyce as Joyce twists her fingers around a gold necklace. I recognize it as the Chai, a Jewish symbol of good luck. Arlene seems riveted by the sight of it.
    Suddenly Arlene grimaces and clutches her stomach. She says, “Excuse me,” and then runs off.
    Joyce looks after her, eyes still shining. “This is the happiest day of my life. I found my best friend again.”
    I find it fascinating that she’s oblivious to Arlene’s response.
    Leah leaves us, glad to deposit her new tenant with me. Evvie has gone to the bathroom to see if Arlene needs help. I’m curious to hear what Joyce will say or do now. She still seems to be on cloud nine.
    “I’ll bet she’s in shock. I am, too. I just can’t believe how lucky I am to find her.”
    I try for a reality check. “Arlene seems upset to see you again.”
    Joyce manages a rueful smile. “I suppose I can’t blame her. I’m ashamed to say, I stole away her husband. But so many years have passed, I thought surely she got over our little breakup.”
    “Apparently not.”
    “Well, to tell the truth, I didn’t get that great a deal. Ed was a rotten husband. These doctors have such God complexes. They’re loyal only to themselves. Frankly, I did her a favor by taking him off her hands. She would have divorced him sooner or later.”
    I think it, but I don’t say it: Maybe if he’d stayed with Arlene, the marriage might have