For a while there it was rough

 

Tammy wanted to get to Boone and Maddie's first, but as luck would have it the woman who adopted Boone was already there. Of course, she was angry with Naoki who wouldn't return her calls. Just what was he up too? She did as much as she could not to show her fury, but she was disappointed how jealous he'd become because she wanted to see her boys. Perhaps she was guilty, but still he was being so childish. 

"Are you OK?" Naturally this Leone was friendly enough. She said a few called her Janine, but professionally, she was known as Leone. "It's a long story. My dad loved the name Leone, while my mom kept calling me Janine. Go figure," Her smile was fabulous, a lot like her outfit. She looked like a model in Tammy's eyes. Of course, she would be perfect in her casual boho outfit. 

Tammy felt too fat for her clothes. Even when they fit, she felt frumpy. But she sipped the red wine as if the two of them were on a date.

"Do you have any other kids?" Tammy wanted to know.

"Just Oakley, but she was my husband's child," Leone told her she couldn't have kids.

Tammy nodded. She felt sad for her for a moment, and then Tammy mentioned how she had adopted Naoki. Naturally, she said so many good things about him. Although in the back of her head, she felt it was all lies. She wasn't sure how she felt about him anymore.

"Oh, I'm glad you two found each other," Leone's words were so encouraging.

They talked about wine for a bit while Tammy stacked up some cheese and fruit on a cracker. It would be her dinner.

"I can make a mean margarita," Tammy wasn't sure why she said it was mean. "I mean, I just drink at home. Usually, a Friday night drink." Although it was the weekend drink. "Two maximum." 

"That's good."

"I did go through my wine phase when I had a cat. Only Missy liked to drink red wine too."

Tammy cringed, wondering why she would tell the woman about her Siamese cat, but she went on. "We had to put her down when she bit Naoki. She had anxiety issues and wouldn't take her antidepressants. His bite was so bad. He got an infection."

Leone raked her fingers through her wavy hair and it laid beautifully. Tammy was full of envy, but she didn't want to be. "I'm sure the wine must have helped her." Leone's smile was perfect when she said it.

"Maybe."

Tammy sipped the wine, wondering where the kids had gone off to. Again, she felt abandoned, but maybe she deserved that.

Leone started in on the local house market. She said she would make some calls. "I feel sure I can find a good deal for you, even in these times." 

She said she understood how she wanted to be close to Alfie and Zoey with the baby on the way. "I know Boone would want you to be close by, too."

"Really?" Tammy was stunned. She wished he would tell her that, but then again, she wished for too many things. Tears came to her eyes. Was her world really changing? Still, she wished she could hear from Naoki.