Is She Okay?

By Denise Waldron

Paula, Stephanie, and Melissa are three good friends. They met when they moved into the same neighborhood. That was several years ago, and now they all have young children. They see each other frequently, they go out together as often as they can, and they consider themselves close. They can’t imagine a strain on their friendship until a new family moves into the neighborhood.
The new family has children the same age as theirs, and the three friends want to get to know the mom. At first, Kay seems nice enough, although she’s on the young side, and clearly not from the same background. Her two daughters are friendly, and get along well with all the other children. Paula, Stephanie, and Melissa try to include Kay in multiple ways, although some of them are less enamored of her than others. But as time goes on, Kay begins to act oddly, and no matter what they do, her behavior becomes even more bizarre.
It becomes clear to the three women that Kay has mental health issues. But their reactions to this realization are very different. Do they ignore it? Ask her to get help? Talk to her family and help them cope with Kay’s challenges? Is a mental health issue the same as a physical health issue? How are they going to handle this situation, and can they handle it together? Or is Kay going to be the problem that breaks up their friendship? And, will Kay be okay? This book will change how you think about mental health, gender roles, and ultimately, friendship in general.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Denise Waldron
• Release date: Jan 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215414774

Denise Waldron

Remember that painfully shy girl in middle school who hid behind a curtain of long straight hair? Of course you don't! My hair is shorter now and no one who knows me would call me shy. My interest in writing piqued considerably when my eighth-grade English teacher read a student's work aloud and then announced it was mine, and a fellow student looked at me wide-eyed and exclaimed, "YOU wrote that?" It didn't hurt that he was cute and had never noticed me before. I still get a thrill when I see my writing published. After years of writing programming code and technical documentation I quit my job and turned to what I call "early childhood education": raising children. Now the children are older and I've found the time to write for fun, and it is fun or I wouldn't be doing it, because I keep myself busy. I'm on the board of a non-profit, belong to the world's best writing group, play tennis, practice yoga, and travel when I can. I'm interested in cooking, gardening, the environment, and nutrition, and I'm an NPR podcast junkie. There are three signs tacked to my desk: "Stop Me Before I Volunteer Again", "Ginger Rogers Did Everything Fred Astaire Did Only Backwards And In High Heels", and "I'll Try Being Nicer If You Try Being Smarter". I have two completed novels and ideas for four more. Surprisingly, no agents have come to my door asking if I have any books I'd like published, so I'm doing it on my own.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Stephanie laughed as she turned from one handsome tuxedoed man to another, holding a glass of champagne in one hand and the train of her ball gown in the other. The men were a mix from high school, college, and her former human resources job, the one she had happily quit to have children. They were all admiring her, complimenting her blond up-do and her silky dress, and she was delighted. Then someone was tugging at her dress, a small grubby child pulling at her, getting dirt on the white satin. What did this child want with her? She looked back at the men, but they were fading away.

Mommy!

Stephanie opened her eyes and realized Tucker had wormed his little arm under the covers and was yanking on her pajamas. She groaned.

Mommy! It’s the first day of school!

Mmm. What time is it? She closed her eyes and prayed she wasn’t running late.

Five four five. I want to get ready for school.

Tucker, it’s too early to get up. Come get me when it’s seven zero zero. She closed her eyes and burrowed into her pillow.

I want to get ready now. And Sean is hungry. He tried to make Cheerios but he spilled them everywhere so I told him no more Cheerios and he’s crying. And Brian has a poopy diaper. It stinks.

Stephanie wondered, as she often did, why she had let Todd convince her that three children were not too many, especially three boys, especially when Todd was never home. She sighed and opened her eyes. Tucker, her five-year-old, was still staring at her, an ornery and demanding look on his face. OK, Tucker, I’ll be down in a minute.

ONE minute? Or a Daddy minute?

Two minutes. I promise. She pushed back the covers and that seemed to convince Tucker, who immediately left, thumping down the stairs. She could hear the blare of the TV from the first floor, and Brian crying in his crib down the hall. She sat up and ran her hands over her Italian sheets, admiring her new window treatments. The rosy silks and soft greens picked up the color of the carpet and complemented the duvet. She got up and made the bed, which didn’t take long. When Todd was away the bedding barely moved.

After the ten accent pillows she’d spent months finding were back on the bed, she brushed her teeth, put her blond hair in a ponytail, and went to check on Brian, who was red-faced from crying. He didn’t usually wake up this early, and she wondered if Tucker had purposely woken the baby so she would get out of bed. She cooed baby talk to him while she changed his diaper. She’d hoped to get him back to sleep for an hour or so, but Sean came in crying for something to eat so she brought them both downstairs and into the kitchen.

Cereal covered the hardwood floor, and an overturned bowl sat in a puddle of milk on the black granite countertop. Tucker was sitting at the mahogany kitchen table watching the little TV she kept on the large island. She sighed. She’d had the ridiculous notion that motherhood would be a romp through a field of wildflowers with a little girl, both of them in pretty dresses with ribbons in their hair. What an idiot. She plunked Brian into his high chair and helped Sean into a chair, cleaned up the mess, then gave the younger boys some Cheerios and juice boxes.

Tucker, did you eat breakfast?

He remained fixated on the TV.

Tucker?

He grunted, probably hoping that would shut her up.

TUCKER!

What? he yelled.

She turned down the volume over his protestations. Do not yell at me, young man. I asked if you ate breakfast.

I had a Pop-tart and a juice box. Can we go now?

 No, it’s still two and a half hours until the bus comes. And you can’t watch TV all morning. It’s not good for you.

Daddy watches TV.

Not in the morning. Turn it off and go play with your LEGOs. The noise was giving her a headache.

 I don’t want to! he screamed, kicking his legs into the chair. I like this show!

Brian started to cry in his high chair and Sean looked frightened. I’m telling your father about this, Stephanie said. He’ll have a word with you when he gets home.

Tucker crossed his arms over his chest and stared pointedly at the TV. The two younger boys started watching it as well, and thankfully Brian stopped crying.

Stephanie shook her head and left the kitchen, meandering down the hall into their home office, which was separated from the otherwise open floor plan by a French door. The burnished wood desk gleamed in the early morning light. She fluffed the accent pillows on the leather couch, then checked her email and visited two websites that were having sales on home furnishings. There was a darling lamp that would be perfect for Brian’s bedroom, due for an update now that he’d turned one. She already knew how she was going to redecorate, but it would take weeks, if not months, to find each perfect item for his room. It was getting harder to shop now that the boys were older, especially Tucker. He was a misery to take along, so she was thrilled that he’d be in school every day. She could still get Sean and Brian to sit in a carriage, especially if she brought snacks. She wished she had a girl, and they could go out after and get manicures, but there was no way she going to have a fourth child. And Todd said he was glad they had boys, because you didn’t have to worry about boys the way you had to worry about girls.

Which reminded her that she’d picked up the cutest little vanity for Paula. It would fit perfectly under the window in the girls’ bedroom. The soft pink color went with the rugs and valences she’d helped Paula pick out, and the painted flowers picked up the accent colors in the bedcovers. She had a photo of it on her phone, and she’d show Paula at the bus stop. Of course she could return it, but she was sure Paula would take it off her hands. Whenever she visited Paula, she loved spotting the many items she’d either purchased on approval or picked out while they were shopping together, each one making the home just a little more beautiful. And a beautiful home was a happy home.

She sent Todd an email telling him about Tucker’s bad behavior this morning. He was due back tonight, and would have yet another talk with Tucker. She wasn’t sure what they talked about, but a strong male presence was important for boys. And Todd’s authority carried more weight than hers, at least with Tucker, who was getting sassier by the month. Well, that’s what boys were like. She heard Sean fussing and went back to the kitchen, gave each boy a Pop-tart and another juice box, and started rearranging the stemware in the clear glass cabinet. She thought a different placement of the cut crystal would catch the light better.

Chapter 2

Paula sighed as she looked at her two sleeping girls. They were in identical beds, white with pink canopies, peaceful and beautiful. The girls insisted on sharing the same room even though there were plenty of bedrooms. That’s why they’d bought a house in one of the nicest neighborhoods in town. A castle for the princesses, Duncan had said. That was before Aiden came along, of course. But little Aiden was as much of an angel as Danielle and Sophia. Paula wondered if it was possible to love one’s children too much. Her own father had loved her not at all, and she was determined to make sure that her own children were the best-loved children ever.

She walked softly to Danielle’s bed and gently brushed her hand over the wavy red hair she’d inherited from Paula. Danielle’s eyes slowly opened and Paula put a finger to her lips and whispered, Let’s not wake Sophia yet, okay? I have a special breakfast for you. Danielle nodded and slipped out of bed, quietly following her mother out of the room. They held hands as they walked down the stairs into the kitchen. The creamy yellow tiles were cool under her feet as Paula settled Danielle into a sturdy dark green chair and gave her a glass of milk before she began preparing the breakfast. She always got up early and made a healthy breakfast for the children, because that was part of her job as a mother, and she took her job very seriously. She took a buttermilk pancake from the oven, where she was keeping a batch warm, then put it on a plate and began to decorate it with the pieces of fruit she’d already prepared. She made a face with blueberry eyes, strawberry mouth, banana nose, and toasted coconut hair drizzled in maple syrup, and then she assembled a big number one out of bananas.

Number one because you’re going to be a first grader, and you’re my number one first grader! she said as she put the plate down in front of Danielle. Paula lived for the look of joy on her daughter’s face.

Duncan walked into the kitchen, already in his bike shorts and shirt. He was tall and gangly and his clothes exaggerated both. Special breakfast? he asked. Lucky girl.

Danielle smiled. Hi, Daddy. It’s the first day of school.

I know that, silly. You have a great day, okay? He kissed the top of her head and said to Paula, Kiss the other two for me. I have an early meeting.

Paula nodded. Nine a.m. wasn’t exactly early in the business world, but Duncan was a computer engineer, and it wasn’t unusual for them to roll in at ten or later. And she meant that literally, because all but one of them commuted on bicycles.

Duncan grabbed the two energy bars she’d made. What’s the flavor this week?

Sesame honey nut. Her homemade bars were much healthier than anything she could find in a grocery store, and she baked them weekly for her family.

Thanks. A foot taller than she was, he bent his 6-foot 2-inch frame down to kiss her. See you tonight. Should be a nice ride in, not too hot. He left and Paula could hear him in the garage, getting ready for his twenty-mile ride to work. It took him a while but it was mostly on a bike trail, so it was safe. She was proud of him for saving on gas and a gym membership at the same time.

She sat down across from Danielle and said, I can’t believe my girl is going to be a first grader this year. You’re getting so big.

Danielle shrugged and ate a piece of banana.

Aren’t you excited about going back to school?

No. I’d rather stay home with Sophia and Aiden.

But you’re learning to read and write. Isn’t that more interesting than staying at home?

School is boring.

Well, education is important, Danielle. You have to go to school, and college too. And don’t you like seeing your friends?

Danielle nodded as she swallowed a bite of pancake.

Who are you looking forward to seeing this year?

Sarah. And Josie.

Paula approved of Danielle’s friends. Sarah and Josie were very outgoing. Paula had been extremely shy all through school, and she wanted her daughter to have a very different experience than she did. No teasing, no crying in the nurse’s office, no wishing she had friends.

That’s good, Danielle. Sarah and Josie are just right for you. She smoothed her daughter’s hair, not as curly and not as red as hers thanks to Duncan’s genes for thick straight brown hair. Now you sit here and I’ll turn on the TV, okay? I have to wake up your brother and sister and give them breakfast, but just plain old pancakes for them. She smiled and pressed the TV remote. She’d already loaded in a Barbie DVD, which all three children enjoyed. She’d also showered, dressed, started the laundry, packed Danielle’s backpack, planned that day’s lunch, and made a list of things she needed to do that day. Her days as an office manager had made her very organized, and she took care of the most important people in the world.

Chapter 3

Melissa finished brushing Alexandra’s hair, as black as hers but much longer and unfortunately much curlier. She’d inherited the curls from James, but unfortunately at four she was too young to have her hair straightened. Melissa spent an excessive amount of time each morning dragging a brush through the mess. Alexandra’s hair was the only mess she tolerated, however. The breakfast dishes were in the dishwasher, the counters were wiped clean, and the floor was swept of the cereal her daughter had accidentally spilled while pouring herself a bowl. Their many appliances hummed with satisfaction, and the conditioned air was neither too cold nor too warm. Contemporary music played very quietly throughout the house, so that Alexandra would be immersed in popular culture by kindergarten. Both Melissa and James believed that social currency was very important to success. As she put the brush down on the oversized white couch in the front living room, she looked out the bay window. Across the vast expanse of her lush front yard, she had a perfect view of the bus stop. She watched as parents and children began to assemble.

Stephanie was in her usual athleisure wear, pushing baby Brian to the bus stop in his stroller, while Sean and Tucker ran circles around her, slapping and shoving each other. Tucker was wearing his special kindergarten nametag, required attire for his very first day of school. All three boys were in shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops, which they wore for most of the year. Really, boys’ clothing was so tedious. As were boys, she thought. But Stephanie’s husband Todd was financially successful and gregarious, and worth knowing. Melissa imagined he would make an excellent politician.

Paula was already there, in jeans and a t-shirt as always, holding Danielle’s hand. Danielle was dressed nicely enough, Melissa thought, although she was a little old to be holding her mother’s hand. She was a first-grader, after all. At least Paula had finally broken her of that awful thumb-sucking habit. And she had a glorious head of auburn hair. Danielle’s little sister Sophia was twirling nearby, arms held gracefully above her head. Melissa knew that Sophia was eagerly awaiting Alexandra’s arrival, but she was still struggling through the mop of black curls. Better to be awaited than waiting, anyway. She watched as Paula’s son Aiden ran to greet Sean, who was just a year older but much more rambunctious. Sean immediately started running away, and the two of them were off screaming and darting in and around the two mothers and their children. Tucker ignored them both and planted himself first in line for the bus.

She watched Stephanie and Paula for a moment, standing close together, chatting and laughing. She’d known them for four years, since she’d first started running with an infant Alexandra in her jogging stroller. She’d run right past them twice, and both times they’d given her waves and smiles, so on her third lap she stopped to say hello. It turned out they were also new to the neighborhood. Paula had an infant and a two-year-old, both girls, and Stephanie had a one-year-old boy. She started walking with them every day, after her run, of course, and they quickly become friends. How could they not? They discussed sleeping through the night, teething, nutrition, children’s entertainment, and preschools, everything that came up regarding childrearing. Now, she spent more time with them than she did with anyone else. It was odd, she thought, how complete strangers could bond over nothing more than being parents of children the same age. Sometimes she wondered if they would have become friends back when they were single.

Now that Alexandra’s hair was passable, Melissa straightened her daughter’s short skirt and matching top. It’s time to say hello to everyone at the bus stop.

The girl turned to go and stumbled slightly. Mom, I don’t think I like these shoes.

They’re perfect with your outfit. Melissa looked proudly at the tiny strappy pink sandals with a little heel. Finally, her daughter was old enough to start looking like a girl.

Alexandra followed her mother’s eyes down to her feet. I like that they’re pink. But they feel funny.

They’re big-girl shoes. Don’t you want to be a big girl?

Alexandra sighed and carefully started walking toward the door. Melissa grabbed her cell phone. She always took pictures on the first day of school, even though Alexandra had one more year before she was a kindergartener. Melissa liked to document everything, because your life wasn’t just you, it was everyone around you. It was important to remember that.

She stepped outside and paused to breathe in the fresh morning air of a perfect early fall day. Oak and maple leaves were still on the trees, the grass was still thick and green, and the birds hadn’t left for warmer climes. She did not relish the coming of winter, although she knew James would be taking her somewhere warm this January, as he did every year. They would leave Alexandra with James’ parents and spend two weeks alone, soaking up the sun and remembering why they married each other. It was the only thing that got her through the cold and grey season.

Alexandra had made some progress down the front path when she saw Sophia and began running towards her. She abruptly stopped running, though, and began taking quick smaller steps instead. It was the heels, of course, but every woman learned to run in heels. And walking was more dignified, anyway. Alexandra was going to be a very popular, very pretty, very successful girl, because all it took for that to happen was proper planning. And tomboys were not the popular girls in high school. Fortunately, Sophia had looks and grace, and made a good companion for Alexandra.

As she reached the bus stop, Paula commented, Alexandra’s shoes are quite grown-up.

Thank you, Melissa nodded. Danielle looks nice today. Her dress was a little plain, but at least she was in one, and Melissa wanted to acknowledge that.

She insisted on a dress, Paula said.

Speaking of which, let’s get a photo. Children! Line up, please. Photo time!

The children were used to Melissa’s photo taking and quickly lined up in a row, grouped by family, just as Melissa liked it. She snapped a few shots and sent them on their way, as it was clear the boys were already restless.

I wish my boys would listen to me like that, Stephanie said.

Maybe I’m louder than you, Melissa said. She had no desire to tell Stephanie the truth, that she was an ineffective parent with no real authority in her boys’ eyes. She’d tried to say something in the past but Stephanie seemed to be willfully ignorant of her boys’ behavior. It was of no concern to Melissa, because she had a girl, and her daughter would only be associating with those boys in a very superficial way. She worried for Paula’s son, Aiden, but really, that was Paula’s problem.

I don’t know, Stephanie said. Tucker just gets worse every day. I think school is going to be great for him. He’ll learn to be polite, and respect adults, and be nice to other children. She looked hopefully at Melissa.

He should have learned all that already, thought Melissa, but she merely nodded. Then she said, Have you heard anything about the new neighbors?

Both women looked sharply at her, keen for information.

No, Paula said. Who are they?

Melissa had bumped into the realtor who sold the house in the gym locker room, and had talked to the naked woman until she had all the information she wanted. It was amazing what people would divulge if you persisted a little.

You know Ideal Homes? The builder of that new development across town?

That guy lives in one of the biggest houses over there. Why’s he moving here? Stephanie asked.

He’s not. His daughter is. She and her husband.

Why here? Paula wondered. Why wouldn’t she just move into a house near her father?

Beats me, Melissa said. Turns out her father worked construction in our neighborhood before starting his own company. He’s childhood friends with the guy who built this development. The people who were renting the original show home left with no notice. She shook her head. Renters. Anyway, he got a deal on it from his friend, and he’s basically giving it to his –

She stopped as she heard the rumble of the school bus. Danielle hurried over to the bus stop behind Tucker, who hadn’t budged from his spot, although Melissa thought the oldest should go first. They stepped onto the bus without a backward glance, even though Stephanie and Paula waved until the bus was out of view. Then they turned back to Melissa, and Stephanie said, You were saying?

He’s giving it to his daughter for practically nothing, because they are babies, absolute babies! Melissa said triumphantly.

What do you mean? Paula asked.

She’s only twenty-three! And he’s twenty-four! She couldn’t believe it herself.

The new neighbors? Stephanie asked, clearly confused. I don’t think so. I heard the family moving in had children.

They do! Melissa said. Two girls, two and four. She had her first child at nineteen! Can you imagine? I was still a child at nineteen! She’s still a baby. A baby with two babies.

Well, it’s not like women have never had babies that young, Paula said. In our mothers’ time, that was perfectly normal.

They didn’t have birth control or jobs or any control over their lives, Melissa said. I would never have chosen to have a child at nineteen. What kind of mother would I have been? Being VP of Marketing taught me a lot of about being a parent, believe me. I just don’t think you can parent a successful child these days with no experience managing others.

The women fell silent. Obviously, she’d given them something to think about.

Anyway, I think it’s going to be our job to help the poor girl. She’s going to need a lot of guidance, and we should do what we can. We don’t want little degenerates running around the neighborhood, do we?

Stephanie opened her mouth to say something but was stopped by a shriek. They turned to the sound and saw Brian on the ground, while Sean and Aiden stood nearby looking at him.

Oh, poor Brian, Stephanie said, hurrying away from them. He’s still not walking all that well.

Paula looked at Melissa. I’m pretty sure I saw ‘poor Brian’ get knocked over by Sean, she said.

Those children need discipline, Melissa said firmly.

After a pause, Paula asked, When is the new family moving in?

Over the weekend. We’ll have to go over and say hello after the bus comes on Monday.

I’ll bring cookies, Paula said. Aiden loves to help me cook.

Chapter 4

Kay sat in the front seat of their minivan, nervously pulling at the hem of her t-shirt. She glanced over at Matt, who was capably guiding them behind the moving truck. It wasn’t a big truck; they didn’t have much. They’d put on some inane children’s music to keep the girls amused, which was working; Rose and Lily were quietly looking out the windows.

We’re almost there, Matt said. I can’t believe it.

Me neither.

Your parents are amazing.

I know. I’m glad they’re coming by.

I hope you’re not going to ask your dad to start moving couches.

He’s only fifty-two.

Exactly. An old man. Matt looked at her and grinned. Leave the couches to us young guys.

Matt had asked several of his fellow construction workers to help him move; some of them were in the truck and some of them were following behind. They were all very young and very fit, and kindly saving them hundreds of dollars in moving expenses. She and Matt could never afford a moving company, much less to live here in the first place. If her parents hadn’t given them the house, they’d still be in their tiny apartment a few towns away.

But with the two girls getting bigger every day, Kay was pretty sure her mother had been behind this insanely generous gift. The house was huge, in a nice neighborhood, and the girls would be in a better school system. Still, Kay was nervous about the move. She’d made a lot of friends in her apartment building, hanging out at the picnic tables near the playground and in the summer setting up plastic kiddie pools next to the parking lot. She told her friends she’d pack up the girls and drive half an hour every day to visit them, and they told her she was crazy. They told her she’d won the lottery.

She knew they were right. She rarely talked about her father being one of the most successful homebuilders in the area. People made assumptions about you if they thought you were rich, and she certainly wasn’t. Although her parents had built a successful company and had a lot of money now, they’d started with nothing, and they were determined that their children start out the same way. But that didn’t mean her mother couldn’t talk her father into getting them into a better school system.

Babe? This is going to be great for the girls. Matt reached over and grabbed her hand.

I know. They’ll have a yard and everything. She looked out the window. I just hope they can make friends here.

They’re great kids. Of course they’ll make friends. And so will you.

Kay knew Matt was worried about her. He had his friends at work, guys who would happily move your entire house for a case of beer. But she stayed home with the girls, and she knew no one in this town except her parents, who were gone several months out of every year tooling around in their RV, visiting the four of her six siblings who’d left the area. They were off on another road trip in a week. The only one still around was her brother, but he was a decade older and ran the family business now. Kay was nervous, she had to admit it, but this move was for her children’s sake, and she was committed to it. She would figure out a