CHAPTER 3
Miranda laughs a lot, she is like a different version near the water. The sea air changes her smug, self-centered personality. Maybe it's just New York City, the city does that to people.
Andrea loves this version of the diva, this always laughing woman dressed in stripped, cotton blouses and jeans.
They don't accept any invitation to parties, it would be hard to explain what they are, and the few days they have they want to spend together. They dress in big hats, and retro swimsuits and hold their own martini party by the pool. Miranda laughs at Andrea's attempt at 70's hair and drinks way too much that day. The weather is perfect and again for a few days they have a perfect love, unmarred by outside influences.
If only they did not need the outside world to exist, if only they could hibernate in this house by the ocean forever, if they could stop being who they were, unattached from their families, from their responsibilities without feeling guilt, they could be happy forever.
Miranda read Lord Tennyson to Andrea at night by the pool, "I am half sick of shadows, said the Lady of Shallot" she reads in her mostly forgotten British accent now.
"How did you get rid of your accent?" Andrea questions after Miranda has read the whole poem followed by Ulysses.
"speech coach" Miranda confesses
"Why?"
Miranda shrugs, "I don't know."
"I think, it's very sexy"
"Do you now? You think it will be sexy enough to woo a certain young lawyer into bed with me?" she says in a now very pronounced accent.
Andrea laughs, rolls of laughter peel from her and she straddles the older woman without warning.
"yes, I absolutely do."
Miranda laughs again, and leans back into the lounge chaise.
"I've never heard you laugh so much Miranda, I love it."
"I love this house, my darling. I love the beach, I love being here with you" she stops.
"Promise me you will always trust me, Miranda. I can't do this always doubting thing. Promise me" she demands and Miranda nods because there is really nothing she can deny Andrea.
"I promise" she says without realizing the promise will soon be put to the test.
The following morning while having coffee, Andrea stops her actions halfway, a porcelain cup of coffee hangs midway and the butterscotch biscuit falls unceremoniously back on the plate. Andrea stoops slight from her chair, her eyes narrow at the email she has just opened in her phone.
"Andrea? Everything okay?"
She nods, "I'm not sure"
The ambiguity of her answer makes Miranda narrow her eyes and purse her lips.
"A rumor about politics and war, you know how all that goes" she says trying to seem calm and appeased, the cup that had been suspend mid-air continues the journey to Andrea's lips though she can't hide the slight shake in them. She turns and half smiles at Miranda who leans over and takes the phone away from her ex-assistant. Andrea puts the coffee cup down, a slight thud as it lands on the wooden outdoor table. The older woman covers Andreas hands with hers and whispers, "everything is going to be fine, darling"
Andrea closes her eyes and nods, letting the editor envelope her in a tender embrace. The words that East Europe is aiding underground groups to rise up here in the US worries her. Civil war is not likely, she knows it. Civil War is not likely because the government would end it, but if Europe is providing help? Is it plausible then? The email is coded, an old acquaintance from her journalism days, who's she kept in touch. He helps her with cases, she helps him with aid. An even trade.
"I know, it's delusional" she finally speaks. The hug had lasted for longer than usual, so much longer that Miranda jumps slightly, surprised by the sound of Andrea's voice. "I overreacted."
Miranda kisses her lover slightly on the cheek and walks away into the house, "let's pack to put the suitcases back in the car." Her words trail after her, like forgotten flowers from a wedding, she seemed absorb after the hug and she's silent for most of the ride home.
"Do you want me to drop you off at JFK?" she asks her companion who has fallen asleep.
Andrea wakes up momentarily, her eyes mused with sleep and her voice deep "that works"
They depart in a somber mood, miles apart from the happiness that had surrounded them back at the beach house. Miranda parks illegally and rapidly hugs Andrea, whispering "I love you Andrea" as the young brunette nods and kisses her on the cheek rapidly.
They now have a month to wait. A month that spans between uncertainty, between their lips kissing and between holding each other. The 84 flowers were symbolic, one for each of the months that made up seven years. 84 flowers that became a theme between the two women that month, Miranda sent her a bracelet with eight incrusted diamonds each 4 karats. 8 and 4, 84. Andrea put it on the night it was delivered, and she sent Miranda a picture. Miranda smiles to herself, delighting in the fact that something of hers would be on Andrea all the time.
"I think we pay you way too much" Diane joked as she saw the bracelet a few days later. Andrea laughs nervously, "I could never afford this"
"Is it from a beau?" The famous lawyer asks. Dianne is elegant in everything she does, her shoulder length blond hair is always perfectly poised as if a team of hairstylist walked around fixing her hair. She's wearing a floral print below the knee dress, and diamond earrings that could probably rival the prize of Andrea's bracelet.
Again, she laughs, "no an old friend"
"Wow, he must be a very close friend" she says laughing and grabbing a few files from her desk.
"She is" Andrea corrects her boss. There is a momentary silence from Dianne, opting to change the subject she throws the files in front of Andrea and says, "read up on these, I'm making you second chair on the Amador case"
"The Amador case?" Andrea asks
"Why are you surprised, you are coming with me"
"It's a big case, "
Dianne leans over her associate and whispers, "you want partner? You want the big leagues? You won't get there by sounding confused every time someone gives you something good. You sound like you know what the fuck you are doing, like you're going to win and eventually you do. Got it?"
Andrea nods.
"I didn't give you New York because you look pretty, although you do. I gave you New York because I know you can do it. And god knows we need more strong women in this industry. Now get up and go study those files"
Andrea sends Miranda 84 champagne filled candies with a note,
'Darling,
Celebrating without you is not as sweet. My boss just promoted me to a new, important case, but between you and me I can't wait to be in New York again.
All my love,
A'
Miranda loves getting notes from Andrea, it makes her feel that her young lover thinks of her.
There was 13 days left for Andrea's flight out of O'Hare into JFK. 13 days, she had sent for a costume made silver pendant with two numbers 8 and 4. She had left the courts early that day, the judge had accepted a recess requested by the defense. They claimed they needed time to locate their key witness. An old soldier who had seen the crime scene. Amador Garcia had been killed brutally by Chicago PD, it made news headlines. Andrea felt that the recess was unfair, they had been on trial for 3 months, hey had plenty of time to find witnesses.
She walked across Miracle mile from the jewelry store, onto a wine bar with a view of the city. She got the phone call before she saw it on the television located in the center bar.
"Natalie,"
"An… drea" she said, she sounded agitated "did you see it? Bombs"
"What are you talking about?" Andrea asks as she turns around seeking an answer. Natalie keeps talking but Andrea stops listening for a second, she sees it on the television, the buildings exploding, the people running. There is a small crowd gathered in front of the television.
"Are you listening to me?"
She feels confused, it's like New York in 2001, like the towers. She fights to concentrate, to think that this is isolated. Some lunatic making a sick statement. The bartender flips the channel, Washington has been bombed too, restricted airspace.
"Natalie, are you okay?" she finally asks, blood returning to her face.
Miranda she thinks of Miranda, of New York.
"I don't know what to do," Natalie confesses, "do you think we're safe?"
"I have to call someone else, but stay by the phone."
There is no response from her friend but she hears the click and dials Miranda.
"Miranda did you see the news?"
'Andrea, I was about to call you. Yes, it brings back horrible memories," the older editor says and yet her voice seems completely calm.
"I need you to meet me in O'Hare," Andrea mumbles knowing that it will be met with resistance.
"Are you crazy? There are no planes flying out right now, besides let's not panic. I'm sure it will be fine."
"Miranda I need you to fucking go to the following airfield and get on the plane."
"Andrea does this have to do with that email? I'm sure you're over reacting. I can't just up and leave" the editor dictates on the phone. Andrea can almost see her, a few of the wine bar patrons have left, suddenly traffic seems meager and the street a little desolate.
She sighs, "Miranda the LA times has been bombed, Sacramento and DC have been bombed, they are not trying to make a statement this is serious. New York can't be safe."
"And Chicago is?" Miranda deadpans, insolently.
"No, but we're not staying here," she says.
"Andrea?"
"I need you to fucking trust me, remember when I made you promise you would? You promised, you fucking promised, I need you uphold that promise now" Andrea's voice cracks and it seems like she's about to cry. She knows the editor will say that is not the type of trust she was talking about, but to her surprise all she hears is, "Fine Andrea I will meet you in Chicago"
Relief washes over the young brunette, she feels it prickle down from the tip of her head to her arms and tears finally come down.
"Good"
It takes a few hours for news outlets to release information, the government has declared war on Russia, and Syria and Japan. West Europe remains silent to the turmoil that has transcribed in a few hours. No official statements backing any side up. The following two days would reveal that Germany wanted to stay neutral, 'we will not be dragged into another world war' the chancellor says and though her decision is unpopular in the eyes of the scared world, Germans thank her. It's too early to tell if it will escalade to full-fledged war, no more shots are fired for a week. UN negotiations hold a lifeline between the fractions.
Andrea and Miranda have driven to Los Angeles, "we can't take a plane" Andrea states
"Are you sure this scare is worth leaving everything for?" Miranda asks irritated on the second day of driving. Andrea nods.
They hear it the day they got to Los Angeles, the pipes underneath the city exploded in New York, the financial district is in chaos. Miranda looks down as they wait at a red light.
"Natalie is waiting for us"
Miranda doesn't answer back. Andrea doesn't prove. That night they hear that US nationals are being gathered and sent home from France and England.
The house that Natalie still owns is beautiful, large window panes that lead to ocean. Andrea had forgotten how beautiful it was here. She remembers thinking that Miranda would love Newport Beach, and now here she is. She sees Miranda a few feet in front of her, a shadow against the setting sun. Natalie gave them time to change and shower before dinner. Andrea doesn't approach the Ice Queen, she watches from afar, she wonders if she completely over reacted. They didn't need to leave their homes. People lived through world wars and civil wars, war rarely reaches suburbia. She feels she's right though, that this isn't a simple conflict that will be solved with negotiations, besides getting away will be good for all of them.
"She's certainly something else" Natalie whispers as she approaches her long-time friend with a glass of wine.
"She is" Andrea muses
"You and her are like oil and water. I can see the attraction though, the immaculate, perfect, powerful woman, who turns out to be completely opposite once you break her shell. You were always a sucker for romantic novels."
Miranda turns and smiles at the younger pair, "shall we start dinner?"
Natalie and Andrea both nod in unison and as if out of thin air Natalie giver Miranda a glass of wine.
"Your house is gorgeous Natalie, I'm glad I finally got to meet you."
"So, I'm I Miranda. So, I'm I. Perhaps these are not the best circumstances but nonetheless"
That night Miranda questions Andrea "What are we doing here? "
"We are driving to Mexico City tomorrow" the former journalist answers and turns her back toward Miranda. She expects more questions but is met with only one.
"Does Natalie know?"
"She's coming with"
"The borders will close, right?" Miranda questions and there is a detectable sadness in her voice.
Andrea doesn't bother to answer.