The buzzer rang. Wendy picked up Chloe and sat her on the bed. “Magda,” she shouted. “Can you get that?”
“Why?” Magda shouted back.
“Because it’s the door . . .” She sighed and carried Chloe through the small foyer as Magda suddenly decided to be helpful and opened the door. “Oh,” she said, and turned away.
“It is Daddy?” Tyler asked, racing toward them.
Tessa Hope, the lawyer, stood uncertainly on the threshold, surveying the scene with barely disguised horror. Tessa was thirty-five, single, and attractive in a standard, Upper East Side kind of way. She was wearing a Roberto Cavalli print blouse, jeans, and high-heeled Mary Jane shoes in black patent leather. She was also considered to be the toughest divorce lawyer in the firm of Berchell & Dingley, and was number forty-three on the list of the city’s fifty most powerful women.
“I’m sorry,” Wendy said, “come in. Shane was supposed to pick up the kids at two-fifteen but he’s late. Have a seat . . .”
There wasn’t, of course, anyplace to sit, all available surfaces being covered with papers, books, screenplays, DVDs, a sponge, a hairbrush, a remote-control airplane, and various items of clothing.
“It’s okay. I can go downstairs and wait if you’d like,” Tessa said cautiously.
“No, come in,” Wendy said. “The maids are just leaving . . .” She cleared a small space on the couch, and Tessa sat down carefully. “It’s not normally like this. It’s usually a little more controlled,” Wendy added apologetically.
“It’s fine,” Tessa said, smiling stiffly. “Your children are adorable.”
“Thank you,” Wendy said proudly. She paused, suddenly noticing Magda’s hair. “Magda, sweetheart, didn’t you say you were going to wash your hair?”
“I did, Mother.”
“No you didn’t,” Wendy said.
“I don’t like that shampoo,” Magda replied.
“Who are you?” Tyler asked Tessa.
“This is Mommy’s lawyer,” Wendy explained.
“I don’t like lawyers,” Tyler said. Wendy put her hand on his head. “He’s just a little shy. Aren’t you, buddy?”
“He doesn’t seem shy at all to me,” Tessa said gamely, crossing one leg over the other.
“Don’t like lawyers,” Tyler said into Wendy’s leg.
“Tessa is very nice,” Wendy said. “She’s going to make sure that you can stay with Mommy forever and ever.”
“We are going home now,” Chloe announced.
The buzzer rang. “Daddy!” Magda exclaimed, running to the door. Shane came in. He was, Wendy noted with satisfaction, looking a little peaked. “You’re late,” Wendy said.
“I had to go to the drugstore. I don’t feel good.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t take the kids.”
He gave her a look. “I don’t feel that bad. Just a headache. I’m fine.” He eyed Tessa warily.
“You remember my lawyer, Tessa Hope,” Wendy said, indicating Tessa with a gesture.
“Yup,” Shane said noncommittally.
“How are you, Shane?” Tessa asked, standing up.
“Great,” Shane said, picking up Chloe. “You’re working on a Saturday?”
“I work every day.”