The next thing she knew, Laird and Vannie clung awkwardly to one another weeping. Elspeth pulled Kenzie to her, and Tavish sniffled. The twins stared at everyone in confusion, until Lorna started crying as if by osmosis. Cari, not to be outdone by everyone around her, sent up a wail that would have brought the house down and ran outside seeking comfort from William. It was several minutes before Aggie could pull out the cantaloupe, chop it into cubes, and push the bowl across the makeshift counter for the children.
Half an hour later, tears dried, paper plates piled into the huge dumpster, food gone, and another gallon of milk drained, she shook her head in wonder. At the rate her children drank it, Aggie was concerned that she’d need to invest in a herd of cows. She wiped her own tears from her eyes once the room emptied and grabbed the counter for support. “Lord, Luke wasn’t joking, was he?”
“It Is Well with My Soul,” flooded her heart and soul, and immediately, she began humming. It was instinctive, the hymn. She wasn’t aware that her mind had switched to hymn comfort mode, until she found herself singing, “Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come…”
As she stepped outside to go back to the sawhorses and her shutters, childish giggles and squeals caught her attention. On the side of the yard, a sprinkler shot water high into the air, creating rainbows in the sunbeams. Amid the delighted sounds that pierced the afternoon air, her children-- Aggie’s thoughts froze for a moment. Her children-- they really were her children-- danced under the falling drops.
* * *
That evening William drove down her driveway so deep in thought he almost didn’t notice a light in the house next door to Aggie’s. The sight concerned him. No one had lived in that house since the Nesbit family moved last fall. He wondered if local kids were messing around in there, or perhaps a vagrant had taken up residence. The electricity shouldn’t be on, though. That seemed odd. Pulling into the driveway, William noted the for sale sign still in the front yard and out of state plates on the car parked in the open garage.
Unaware, although he wouldn’t have been surprised, that Mrs. Dyke was watching every move he made from behind her binoculars, he knocked on the door and waited for an answer. The woman who opened the door surprised him. “Ellene?”
“William! How’d you know I was here?”
Hugging her, William jerked his thumb toward Aggie’s house. “I was helping a friend next door and saw your lights as I left--”
“You still answer a question as if you were on the witness stand.”
“That doesn’t answer the obvious but unstated question. What are you doing in Brant’s Corners?” William followed her inside the house and noted the perfectly neat stacks of boxes along walls of every room visible from his vantage point. The difference between this house and Aggie’s was extreme.
“I took a job with the Rockland County Social Services. They were going to put me in the city, but I convinced them to start me out here first.”
Ellene Tuttle, a fellow Marine from Camp Pendleton, started to offer him coffee and then shrugged. “I don’t have any food in the house at all. My furniture arrives tomorrow; I was just bringing more boxes over and organizing them tonight.”
“Let’s go to Maizy’s. I want to hear what’s been happening in your life since you left here.”
They talked into the wee hours. William learned that Ellene remembered him talking about how close-knit Brant’s Corners and the surrounding towns were and decided to apply for a job in the county. Her first assignment was Brant’s Corners/Brunswick. Though he tried to disguise it, William was a little dismayed to think of any social worker, especially Ellene Tuttle, living next door to Aggie and her eight children. Would she understand about baby Ian calling 9-1-1 and the screams and squeals that seemed to characterize Aggie’s home? Would she and Aggie be friends? Would she remember late night confessions of William’s childhood and keep them confidential? William’s questions bothered him long after he dropped his friend off at her new house and went home to his own bed.
Saturday, July 13th
Laird unintentionally arranged a hasty meeting with the new neighbor late the next morning. While Aggie and Luke stripped wallpaper from the walls and tried to keep Ian from eating the scraps off of the floor, Aggie heard the faint tinkling of glass. Moments later, a dejected Laird and excited Kenzie burst through the back door. “Aunt Aggie, Laird hit a great home run. We think that we broke the window next door and guess what?” Not waiting for an answer, the child continued. “A lady came out of the house when it happened!”
Aggie sighed and looked at Laird. The boy was miserable. Despair settled around him like a cloak, especially in his expressive eyes. For the first time, Aggie realized that she could read his thoughts much in the same manner that others often read hers. “Laird, let’s go talk to whomever is over there and get this straightened out.”
As she turned to leave, Vannie handed Aggie a plate of cookies she’d pulled out of the oven just minutes before and covered them with a clean kitchen towel. “Sometimes people aren’t as upset if you bring a peace offering.”
She smiled and thanked the girl. Sometimes Aggie thought that all the children had really needed was Vannie. The young girl’s practical knowledge far exceeded Aggie’s, and while Aggie had a degree in education, she often felt that Vannie was the teacher and she the student.
The doorbell rang almost simultaneously with the opening of the massive front door. A well-dressed woman, with perfectly styled hair, holding a note pad, wore a pasted-on smile. “I see you’ve heard about the incident. I’m pleased to see you taking responsibility for it.”
Aggie was somewhat taken aback. She wasn’t quite sure if the woman was speaking to her or to Laird, but she gave a weak smile and offered the plate of cookies. “Our eldest, Vannie, just baked these cookies. Please have some as our apology. Oh,” she added quickly, “I am prepared to pay for the window, of course.”
Aggie had intended to require that Laird do the talking. This woman, however, was not the understanding, sympathetic woman that she’d prayed she’d be. Not knowing exactly how to handle herself, Aggie plowed ahead. “I have a handyman who is working on my home. Would you like me to ask him to come give you an estimate of the damages?” Aggie added another note to her p-mail, asking the Lord to ensure that Luke would be willing.
After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, the woman spoke. “That isn’t necessary. My insurance will cover it. I’m just relieved to see that you are not going to let your children run wild and destroy property. Too many parents just simply don’t care.” The woman gave another of her artificial and rehearsed-looking smiles and shut the door in their faces.
Aggie, still holding the plate of warm cookies, was dumfounded. Laird looked at her with questions racing across his eyes, but she shrugged helplessly. Nodding, Laird and took the plate from her, resignation replacing the misery in his eyes. While he mentally calculated what a window that size might cost, Aggie realized that she and Laird were enough alike to almost communicate by facial expression. How fascinating!
Vannie took personal offense at the apparent rejection of her cookies. While Luke and Laird grabbed handfuls, Vannie went in search of Ian, who no longer played at her feet. Aggie heard her frantically calling the crawler’s name, and soon, the entire family was searching for the boy. When minutes passed, and there was no sight of the baby anywhere, Aggie, with shaking hands, picked up the phone and deliberately dialed 9-1-1.
Seeing the line of sheriff’s cars in the Stuart driveway, the new neighbor came across the lawn and joined in the search. The children scouted everywhere, from behind rosebushes, to beneath beds, while Aggie, still shaking, sent each one looking in a new direction as they arrived empty handed. If a lost baby wasn’t enough stress for Aggie, it was quite apparent that Ellene Tuttle found a large family like hers very distasteful.
She broke down, weeping, as the new neighbor asked difficult questions-- ones Aggie couldn’t answer. She felt like a pr
isoner being interrogated about a crime and soon became defensive, refusing to talk to the woman. Visibly frustrated, Ellene strode across the road to ask Mrs. Dyke if she’d seen a baby crawl past the house. Aggie, hearing Ellene’s intentions and nearing the point of hysteria, giggled. “I can see her now, ‘Mrs. Dyke, have you happened to see a nine month old baby hitchhiking around here?’”
Aggie’s property was large, full of bushes and tall, un-mowed grass in the very back. The house itself had plenty of places a baby could crawl and hide. Deputy Megan had immediately gone to check all buckets, toilets, bathtubs, and the wading pool on the side of the house. Luke crawled under the porch with his flashlight, and another deputy went to search the attic. They combed the entire property, as well as side streets, and even the highway. After two hours of intense searching, the sheriffs suggested instituting an Amber Alert.
However, before William could radio in the call, Tavish raced around the corner of the house shouting, “I hear Ian whimpering, but I can’t find him!”
Everyone followed the excited boy to the playhouse where they could hear Ian’s whimpers evolving into frantic wails, but they couldn’t see him. Beside the playhouse, an attached carport protected Laird’s Jaguar from the elements. “Did anyone check by the Jag?” William’s voice boomed from near the tailpipe as he looked under it.
One of the other officers assured them that he’d swept the entire carport with his flashlight. “Nothing-- I checked under the car, behind those boxes, everywhere.”
“I see a foot.”
Before William could get to the front of the car, Aggie found Ian, his overalls impaled by an old nail that refused to let him crawl to freedom. “He must have been asleep in here or something.”
“I don’t know how he could have been in here, I checked everywhere.”
Aggie carried him to daylight and shook her head at his sleepy eyes. “You’re right, he was asleep-- maybe under the car?”
“Probably,” William agreed. “Did the nail scratch him? He’s keeping that side away from you.”
She unbuttoned the denim short-alls and saw an angry scratch. “Yep. Poor guy.”
“Is he up to date on his tetanus shots?” Ellene’s voice was all business.
“I--” Aggie frowned. “I don’t know. I assume he was as of four months, but that’s been a few months ago.”
Aggie cradled the now grinning boy and carried him inside to wash the welt and bandage it. Ellene dragged William aside and ranted about her perception of the situation. While no one could decipher William’s deep rumbles, the woman’s whispers were loud enough for everyone to hear. Aggie had once heard someone describe such communication as learning to whisper in a sawmill. It seemed a fitting description, and from the angry accusations audible to all, it was evident that Ellene considered the entire episode bordering on the criminal.
In an attempt at discretion, William steered Ellene toward her house. Though no one could hear what he had to say, or her response, everyone saw his hands fly up in the air in exasperation and heard him exclaim, “Man, Ellene, children have done things like this for centuries. Usually when we’re sent out on these kinds of calls, the child is asleep under some piece of furniture in a corner somewhere. It happens.”
“I just think that it’s impossible to keep your eyes on so many--”
“It’s just as easy, maybe easier, to lose track of one child as it is one of a dozen. Where did you lose the common sense you used to have?” The tirade continued as they walked away from Aggie’s house.
Everyone left behind appeared to be at a loss for words. Eventually, Aggie turned to Meg and said “Is it really that serious? Am I going to be investigated or something because somehow he crawled across the yard and under a car?”
Megan gave a wry grin. “From what I hear, Ellene is just over zealous sometimes. Being the new gal over at social services, she probably wants to make her mark, and you were a prime target. William will win her over. She has had her eye on him since the first time they met.”
Aggie sighed, and Megan mistakenly concluded that Aggie viewed Ellene as a rival. Minutes later, she said, “I wish Murphy and William would leave.”
“Murphy?” Megan was confused, but Aggie’s explanation just confirmed the woman’s suspicions. The young deputy would have been surprised to see how wrong she really was.
“As in Murphy’s law. If anything can go wrong, it will. This woman just seems to personify that. I’m calling her Murphy. It’ll help me keep my sense of humor.” Aggie sighed, thanked the officers for their help, and led the children inside for dinner.
Tina says: Aggie…oh, Aaaaaaaggggggieeeeeeeee…
Aggie says: At last… a REST!
Tina says: Well… how is the kitchen coming?
Aggie says: It’s at a standstill.
Tina says: How come?
Aggie says: Luke has been busy with some properties and with some other prearranged jobs.
Tina says: Miss having a man around the house?
Aggie says: NOPE!
Tina says: I thought you liked him.
Aggie says: I do!
Tina says: But with no man around how are you getting things done?
Aggie says: Who said no man? You said LUKE and assumed no man!
Tina says: William!
Aggie says: You should see the outside of this place. The shrubs are pruned and the whole thing is mowed and weeded… there are flowers growing, half the trim is painted, and the door is a beautiful RED.
Tina says: WOW! Why didn’t you guys finish the kitchen?
Aggie says: Oh, Tina… he just hates this house. He won’t come inside.
Tina says: HE WONT COME INSIDE?
Aggie says: Not for more than a minute or two. He’s been in this house for a grand total of 20 minutes. MAX.
Tina says: What’s up with that?
Aggie says: Dunno! I have more news though
Tina says: Ohh?
Aggie says: Yep… we have a new neighbor.
Tina says: Oh, yeah?
Aggie says: Yep, I’ve christened her Murphy.
Tina says: Hmm as in “if anything can go wrong it will?”
Aggie says: You got it!
Tina says: So what’s wrong with Murphy?
Aggie says: Well… besides the fact that she’s an overzealous social worker, and appears to want her talons in William (not that he seems to notice, mind you), she doesn’t like me.
Tina says: What’s not to like!
Aggie says: Yeah, you tell me! Hee hee
Tina says: Well… sounds like your date with William paid off anyway. He appears to be coming around more.
Aggie says: I think he’s more comfy without Luke around. Too much testosterone or something.
Tina says: Hee hee… that’s for sure.
Aggie says: Well, Luke had one day to work on things today, and it was a good thing.
Tina says: Why?
Aggie says: Well, it has to do with a broken window, a crawling baby, and a near Amber Alert.
Tina says: I think it’s a good thing I’m sitting down.
Aggie says: Got aspirin?
Tina says: Do I need it?
Aggie says: If you don’t, I do. No seriously, Ian…
Tina says: Ian. 9-1-1. Again?
Aggie says: No, I called this time. Ian went missing.
Tina says: No! That’s my worst nightmare for you.
Aggie says: Don’t I know it. We looked for two hours! Based upon Ian’s lack of interest in an afternoon nap, apparently he slept the whole time he was hiding.
Tina says: Do I want to ask where?
Aggie says: Can you say under the Jag?
Tina says: *thud* You have to be kidding me. How did he get way out there? I’ve seen the pictures. It looks a long way from the house!
Aggie says: Your guess is better than mine. By the way, that place stinks to high heaven. It took a lot of soap to get the old oil and rotted wood smell out of him. Blech.
T
ina says: Really? Amazing that an old house that has been empty for decades would have a carport that stinks and is oily. I’m just stunned.
Aggie says: It’s a mystery--kind of like how he fell asleep in that filth and stench.
Tina says: And no one bothered to check the Jag for over two hours?
Aggie says: Um, Tina, they looked-- the entire sheriff’s office. With flashlights even.
Tina says: Are you writing this stuff down?
Aggie says: Scrapbook?
Tina says: I was thinking more like Reader’s Digest or maybe fodder for Calvin and Hobbes or something.
Aggie says: Calvin’s mother flashes back to babyhood when she dreamed of the old days and then shudders?
Tina says: Something like that.
Aggie says: There’s the phone… better go... poof
Tina says: Poofs!
Chapter 21
Good Grief
Sunday, July 14th
The soothing sounds of four-part a cappella harmony drifted out the windows of the Stuart-Milliken home Sunday morning. Ellie lay curled on the couch, a bucket on the floor next to her, the victim of overindulgence on chocolate syrup over ice cream. The children had neglected to tell Aggie of Ellie’s weak stomach for chocolate syrup, and Ellie had managed to wheedle a second bowl out of an exhausted Aggie. The result was a long night of retching and whimpering. Motherhood was a messy job sometimes. Aggie was extremely thankful that they had ditched carpets and kept the hardwood floors.
The youngest three children chased a balloon all through the first floor, their squeals drowning out the a cappella quartet. Lost in the story of Joshua and Jericho, Aggie occasionally grumbled for them to, “keep it down.” Ellie, sipping on 7-UP, didn’t have the energy to read, watch a movie, or even play with her paper dolls. Instead, she lay on the couch, with her eyes closed, listening to the music.
“Aunt Aggie?”
“Hmm?”
“Can I have a cracker? I think I’m better. I’m hungry.”
Ready or Not (Aggie's Inheritance) Page 29
