Missing Memories

by Carol Dean Jones

  “Thank you, everyone. It’s good to be home,” Sarah responded, spotting Anna’s little girl, Annabelle, on her mother’s lap. “Do I see a new member?” Sarah asked, heading toward the little girl. “Hi, Annabelle.”

  “She came in with her daddy, and she's going home just as soon as he’s finished.” Just as Anna spoke, Annabelle wiggled to get out of her mother’s arms, but Anna was able to hang onto her. “Geoff, are you about finished? We’re starting the meeting…” Turning to the group, she added, “I need a break from this child. You wouldn’t believe the amount of energy and curiosity she has.” Everyone nodded and Delores lifted the child onto her lap. Annabelle immediately became very still and covered her face with her chubby little hands as if she were suddenly shy.

  “It’s a difficult time, but hang in there, Anna,” Delores said attempting to reassure the young mother.

  “Yes,” Ruth teased. “You still have the teens to get through.”

  Turning her attention toward Sarah and Sophie, who were now seated at the large worktable, Ruth said, “So Sarah, tell us about your trip,” but before Sarah could speak, Christina spoke up asking, “And did you buy any fabric?”

  Sarah chuckled and said, “Funny, that’s just what Sophie asked me. I guess that really is the most important part of any vacation.” Sarah told them about the two shops she visited in Denver, and Sophie pulled out her kit from the Colorado Springs shop and explained their plan for completing it.

  Delores, who had been Sophie’s teacher, looked at the pattern more closely than the rest of the group and assured her she’d be able to do the applique. “If you need any help, just holler,” she added.

  “Caitlyn, I see you have a shopping bag from Colorado. What do you have there?”

  “Sarah brought this for me,” Caitlyn responded as she reached into the bag and pulled out a pattern. “It’s a Triple Irish Chain,” she said timidly. Caitlyn was the youngest member of the group but was proving to be a very creative quilter.

  “I brought it because I wanted to ask you what you think of this idea.” She reached into the bag again and pulled out two bags of assorted scraps. “She also brought me these two scrap bags of floral fabric, and instead of making three solid chains like in the picture, I’d like to make all the chains with a variety of florals. Do you think that would look okay?” she asked tentatively.

  “It would be like a wide row of color wash crisscrossing the quilt instead of distinct chains,” Ruth responded thoughtfully, “but, you know, I think I like it.”

  “I do too,” Delores added. “Let’s take a look at the fabrics.”

  Caitlyn began pulling the small cuts of fabrics out of the bags. “They’re all flowers,” she said. The group picked through the fabrics and began to sort them into piles of small, medium, and large prints.

  “Will you use just certain colors?”

  “I’d like to use them all if you think it would look okay…”

  “Just like a summer garden,” Anna called over her shoulder as she handed Annabelle off to Geoff and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

  “You’ll need more fabric,” Delores added. “I have lots of florals, and I suspect everyone else does too.” Turning to the group, she suggested that they all bring some scraps in for Caitlyn.

  “What size do you want?” Kimberly asked. “Christina and I have loads of scraps.”

  “The pattern calls for 2 ½” strips.”

  “Check in the back room, too,” Ruth suggested. “There are lots of floral fabrics in our scrap barrel. You’re welcome to help yourself.”

  “Would you like for us to help you with the quilt?” Christina asked. “We could cut and sew strips for you at our next meeting.” Everyone waited for Caitlyn’s response, not wanting to intrude if it was something she wanted to do by herself.

  “Oh, that would be great. That way I can get started right away. You know, with school and all I don’t have lots of time for sewing.”

  “Is this quilt for you or is it a gift?”

  “I have someone in mind I’d like to give it to, but I’m not saying yet,” she responded tentatively.

  Delores smiled and glanced at Sarah. It’s nice having a young person in the group.

  Christina and Kimberly pulled out the charity quilt the group had made for the women’s shelter. The sisters had completed the quilting on their long-arm machine, and Delores offered to put the binding on. Several others shared what they were working on, and the group spent the rest of the meeting huddled in the storage room searching through the two barrels of fabric and pulling out floral fabrics.

  As they were packing up to leave, Ruth said, “Wait a minute! We never heard about Sarah’s trip to Colorado!”

  “Too late now,” Sarah laughed as she picked up her tote bag. “Anyway, we talked about the most important part – the fabric. I’ll tell you all about the rest of the trip while we cut fabric next week.”

  As the group was leaving, Ruth motioned Sarah aside. “Can you stay for a few minutes, Sarah?” Ruth asked. “I have a proposition for you.”

  “Sounds interesting,” Sarah replied. She looked outside and saw that Sophie was getting into the van. Sarah waved to her indicating that she’d be right along.

  Ruth pulled out a brochure describing a national quilt show coming to Chicago and asked Sarah if she’d like to accompany her as a guest of the shop. “You’ve done so much for me by teaching classes, and I’d like to offer this little bonus. Of course, there’s one catch,” she added with a sly grin. “I’d like for you to manage the booth for a few hours each day while my friend and I take in the show and have lunch, but otherwise you’ll be on your own to enjoy the show.”

  Sarah asked a few questions about the logistics and said she’d love to do it.

  “So you’ll come!” Ruth exclaimed.

  “Absolutely, Ruth, and thank you. The last time I went to a quilt show with you I ended up having to come home on the first day and never had a chance to see the quilts.”

  “I remember. Problems with your daughter, Martha, as I recall. How is she doing, by the way?”

  “She’s just fine, and we’re happy about the connection she’s made with Sophie’s son. Timothy’s a fine man, and I know he’ll be good to her. Her first marriage, as you may remember, was a disaster, and she’s been overcautious ever since.”

  “As was her mother, as I recall,” Ruth joshed.

  “Yes, as was her mother,” Sarah agreed, looking slightly embarrassed. “I admit it, but I got over it, didn’t I?”

  “You sure did. Now, as for the show, I promise not to work you to death. The show is for three days, and I’ll only need your help for a short block of time each day, so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the quilts and take as many classes as you want. The Chicago show always attracts excellent instructors.”

  “Don’t you think you’ll need full-time help in your booth?

  “Yes, and I have that covered. My friend Tessa is going to work with me every day. You’ve never met her, have you?”

  “No, but I remember when you two went to the Kentucky quilt show together. You’ve known her for a long time, haven’t you?”

  “Yes, we’ve been friends since I first opened my shop. She had just opened her own quilt shop in Barlow, and when she read about my opening, she contacted me to offer some suggestions on how we could work together. Over the years, we’ve become close friends, although I don’t see her very often.” Ruth went on to explain that Tessa’s shop was only an hour or so east of Hamilton. “We’ve run a few sales at the same time and offered incentives for quilters to visit both shops.”

  “Have you been to her shop?”

  “Yes, I drove over to Barlow a couple of years ago and spent the weekend with Tessa. Her shop, Fussy Cuts, is small, probably only a few thousand bolts, but it’s just delightful. She has a classroom in the back, and one of her retired friends teaches classes for her. She has sample quilts hanging on the walls to encourage new quilters to sig
n up for classes.

  “I’ve never been to her shop,” Sarah remarked, “but that’s a cute name.”

  “Geoff has even offered to help her set up an online business or at least a website, but she seems reluctant to do it. She told me once she doesn’t want to draw attention to herself, but I’ve tried to tell her that’s part of having a business.”

  “She doesn’t want to have her own booth at the show?”

  “No, she’s never had a booth, but she goes to the shows. We figured this would be a good way to spend some time together. She’s preparing kits to sell at my booth, but she isn’t bringing fabric. She’ll be with me all three days, and I just might be able to slip away and take one of the classes. I’ve never been able to do that.” Ruth handed the show schedule to Sarah, and they went over the classes briefly.

  “Well, if you two want to take a class together, I’d be happy to take care of the booth,” Sarah offered. “I’ll have lots of free time. Will Anna manage your shop while you’re away?”

  “Yes, and Delores can help on the weekend. She’s busy at the museum during the week, but I’m sure Anna can handle weekdays alone. If not, Nathan will come in.” Ruth’s husband often helped out in the shop, and the shoppers loved him. He was a handsome, soft-spoken man who had been raised in the Amish tradition, as was Anna before they married and left the community.

  “Now exactly when is the show?” Sarah asked as she turned the brochure over, searching for the dates. “Oh, here it is. It’s just a few weeks away, Friday through Sunday.

  “We’d be driving up the night before. Look through that brochure and let me know what classes you want to take and I’ll cover those costs too.”

  “Oh Ruth, you don’t have to do that.”

  “It’s a business expense,” Ruth responded, dismissing Sarah’s concern.

  “Oh, my!” Sarah abruptly exclaimed. “I completely forgot that Sophie’s waiting in the van. I’ve got to run.”

  The two friends exchanged a quick hug, and Sarah hurried to Sophie’s van where she found her friend diligently appliqueing a small rosebud on an eight-inch square.

  Chapter 3

  Sarah pretended to be surprised when Jason and Jennifer handed her the sonogram with a wide grin and sparkling eyes. “It’s the first picture of your new grandchild,” Jason exclaimed proudly.

  Jennifer reached into her bag and pulled out a small album with the words ‘Grandma’s Brag Book’ printed on the cover. “And this is for you so you can get an early start.”

  Sarah gave her a warm hug and told her she already had another picture to put in the album. She reached for her phone and displayed a picture of Jennifer looking like a proud peacock. “Now that’s a picture of a jubilant pregnant lady,” Sarah announced.

  “You knew, didn’t you?”

  “I couldn’t miss it. You two have been just glowing for the past month. Now, sit down and tell me all about it.”

  She didn’t say it to the happy couple, but Sarah couldn’t help but hope it would be a boy. Jason lost his first son, Arthur, when he was only eleven. The stress had led to the breakup of Jason’s marriage, and Sarah had been so happy when he announced his engagement to Jennifer several years later. Their only child, Alaina, was now two years old.

  “Have you told Alaina yet?”

  “No, you know how time drags for the young,” Jason responded. “She’d never have the patience to wait six months.”

  * * *

  The next three weeks seemed to fly by for Sarah, and it was suddenly time to leave for Chicago. Charles was loading her suitcase and supplies into the car while Sarah put a few finishing touches on the food she’d prepared for Charles. “Don’t forget I was a bachelor for many years, my dear,” he teased as he came into the kitchen from the garage. “I know how to make a few things for myself.”

  “Don’t you fib to me, Charles Parker. I know you ate most of your meals in the Community Center cafeteria before you met me.”

  “Don’t sell me short! I can boil hot dogs, make sandwiches, and I can even prepare a delicious beef stew.”

  “I know,” she chuckled. “I watched you open the can the night you invited me to your apartment for a candlelight dinner.”

  Later that afternoon, as Charles and Sarah pulled up in front of Running Stitches, they saw Ruth heading out of the shop with an armload of fabric and Nathan on the ground behind their van hitching up their small cargo trailer.

  Sarah leaned across the seat to kiss her husband goodbye, but Charles said, “I think I’ll stay around and give them a hand.”

  Sarah smiled her appreciation and hopped out to join Ruth, who had placed the bolts of fabric in the trailer and was returning to the shop. “I’ve made quite a mess in here,” Ruth was saying as she picked up another armload of bolts. “I’d better call Anna before we leave and ask her to come in early tomorrow so she can get the shop tidied up before she opens.”

  “I can begin straightening up now,” Sarah offered.

  “I’d rather you help me get the rest of the fabric out so we can get on the road. I’d like to get there before dark and before the other trucks and vans take all the best parking spots.”

  The two men got the trailer hitched up, and Charles, with the help of the instruction manual, checked to make sure the safety features were in place while Nathan carried the last of the fabric from the shop and arranged them in the trailer. “Is that everything?” he asked his wife.

  “No, we need to load those boxes over there,” She replied pointing to a stack of boxes filled with fabric. Turning to Sarah, she explained, “I cut one-yard and half-yard pieces of all my most popular fabrics. That way we won’t need to spend all our time at the show cutting.”

  “How about the fat quarters we cut yesterday?”

  “I’ve already put those boxes into the van, but would you please grab a few baskets. Fat quarters look pretty displayed in baskets, and we can store the extras under the table.”

  “Under the table?” Charles inquired suspiciously as he walked back into the shop. Sarah’s husband was a retired detective with the Middletown Police Department and often acted like he was still on the job. “Are you paying your help under the table?”

  “No, Charles,” Ruth responded defensively. “I’m talking about the actual space under the table.” After a pause, she added, “The show organizers supply tables and a white tablecloth that reaches all the way to the floor. I like to add a quilt over that for display, but their long tablecloths create lots of hiding space under the table for supplies. I’ll keep a backup of fabric under there too.”

  “Sounds reasonable. Sorry if I was using my interrogation voice. Sarah is trying to break me of that.” Looking around the room, his eyes settled on the pile of boxes, and he said, “I’ll help Nathan with the rest of these boxes.”

  “Wait,” Ruth called to him as he headed toward the trailer. “Would you see if there’s room in the back of the van for those?”

  “What about this box of patterns?” Sarah asked, also on her way toward the trailer.

  “Those can go in the trailer, but,” she added turning to her husband, “Nathan, would you pull that pile of quilts out of the trailer and put them in the van please?”

  “With all the things you’re taking in the van, I’m beginning to wonder why we own this trailer,” Nathan groused, even though the small trailer was practically full with bolts of fabric, folding chairs, a wire display rack, two five-foot long wooden shelving units, and several boxes of sewing accessories.

  “Just relax, dear husband,” Ruth responded cheerfully. “I’ve done this before, you know. If I have those things in the car, I can begin setting up the booth while I’m waiting for someone to unpack the trailer.”

  “I know, I know,” he responded good-naturedly. Ruth explained to Sarah later that, although Nathan grumbled about the show, he would be the first to admit that the exposure she gets for the shop at the shows was phenomenal, especially for their online business.

&
nbsp; “How will we get all this unpacked?” Sarah asked, knowing that it had taken the four of them to pack it all up.”

  “That’s the easy part,” Ruth replied with a wide grin. “The convention center will already have our tables and dividers in place, and I’ve hired two strong young men to unpack the trailer. All we’ll have to do is arrange the booth as they bring in the supplies. It’s a piece of cake,” she added with a chuckle.

  Sarah heard Nathan continuing to complain but noticed that he held her close as they were saying goodbye. Perhaps he grumbles because he’ll miss her, she thought with a smile as she looked around for her own husband.

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to come up for the day on Saturday? We could catch a show and go to dinner,” Charles said as they were saying goodbye.

  “That sounds like fun, but I’m going to be pretty busy,” Sarah replied. “I’ve got classes all three days, and I’ve promised to handle the booth a few hours every day as well. Let’s plan a weekend in Chicago for just the two of us sometime soon.”

  “Sounds good, but I’ll miss you.”

  “I’ll miss you too, but Barney needs you, so you go home and hold down the fort. We’ll be back late Sunday night or Monday morning, depending on how tired we are once the show closes.”

  Sarah got settled in the passenger seat, and they pulled away from the curb, waving goodbye to their husbands. Charles was wearing his forlorn look, but Sarah knew he was smiling inside. She loved quilt shows, and he was in favor of whatever made her happy.