Chad and Willow stayed, played schoolyard games with the children, and then left. Aggie raised an eyebrow at Libby, as Chad’s truck turned the corner onto the highway and asked, “Ok, what was that all about?”
“I’m thinking Chad has himself a girlfriend and doesn’t even know it.” Luke’s smirk grew into a smile as Libby nudged the back of his knees, making them buckle. “Mom, did you not see what I just saw? He spent the whole time singing her praises.”
“And I think, in his position, you wouldn’t want your family speculating about your romantic entanglements.”
“If I ever have any, you speculate all you want.” Luke put his feet up on the wicker coffee table and leaned his head back in his hands.
Tina and Libby exchanged amused glances, but Aggie’s question changed the subject. “Did she really say she’s never been around children? She seemed quite natural with them. I was certainly much more awkward when I took over at Allie’s, and I’d been around them before that.”
Luke nodded. “According to Chad, it was just her and her mother.”
“Why didn’t he bring her mother? I would have liked to meet her.”
Luke untangled his feet and leaned forward, arms on his knees. “That’s what the gravestones comment was about the other day. Chad was here asking for help in making one for her mother’s grave.”
“Oh.” Aggie’s deflated voice killed the conversation. For quite some time, they all sat on the porch listening to the children’s laughter as they played.
Minutes later, Aggie stood and quietly walked into the living room, wiping tears from her eyes as went. Libby’s heart jumped into her throat, and she looked helplessly at Luke. “I don’t know how to help at times like this.”
Luke rose and offered a hand to his mother. “Mama, does anyone know how to help someone else through their own grief?”
As practical as he sounded, that single word, Mama, told Libby that her Luke wasn’t as unmoved as he seemed. “I guess that is why we’re supposed to lean on the Lord, son. He is the only one who can, isn’t He?”
Aggie says: Mom? Wooohoo… Mom?
Martha says: How are you tonight?
Aggie says: We’re getting a lot done. Luke almost finished the bathroom today, and we’re going to sand the library and hallway floors tomorrow when he’s done.
Martha says: How are the children?
Aggie says: I think they’re doing really well here. There’s a lady at church that is planning a young women’s group and wants Vannie to join. I think it’ll be good for her. She does so much around here as it is. I think she needs the break.
Martha says: *nods* Well, what about Laird? I’ve been worried about him missing his father’s influence.
Aggie says: No one can replace Doug, Mom. I don’t want to pretend they can, but between Luke being here all day every day, William here often, and Zeke coming by from time to time, I don’t think Laird is suffering for male companionship or influence. Luke is really good with him, and I think Laird likes William’s job. They talk a lot about what it means to be a deputy and the good and hard parts of the job.
Martha says: Oh, that’s good. What about your new neighbor? Have you had any more run-ins with her?
Aggie says: Nope. She’s actually becoming a friend, I think. Tina seems to like her.
Martha says: Tina! Really?
Aggie says: Yep!
Aggie says: I think we just misunderstood each other at first. I seem to have a habit of making dramatic first impressions on people.
Martha says: Well, that hasn’t changed, has it?
Aggie says: I’m WOUNDED!
Martha says: *giggling* You are who you are, Aggie. What about Cari? Is she still giving you problems?
Aggie says: All the time. She told Luke the other day that she doesn’t “wike him vewy much sometimes.”
Martha says: She got in trouble?
Aggie says: How DID you guess?
Martha says: Kenzie used to try to say that when she got in trouble. Allie had a time stopping that one! Geraldine was on a “you must let them express themselves” kick. Fortunately, it didn’t last.
Aggie says: Well, I don’t know if it’s going to be a recurring problem or not, but I’m afraid it is. Luke didn’t reprimand her.
Martha says: Oh.
Aggie says: I asked him about it.
Martha says: And did he say why he let her get away with it? If you give that child an inch…
Aggie says: He said he told her he’d always LOVE her and sent her out to play. He said that she needed to know that she’s always going to be loved. That a child who is always in trouble like her needs that reassurance, but I think we’re just going to confuse her when we don’t let her get away with it over and over.
Martha says: He has a point. So do you. I guess time will tell. Maybe it’s worth some extra work with her to reassure her like that. He’s really been firm about things in the past, hasn’t he?
Aggie says: I guess. Hey, is Dad around? I wanted to say hi, but we’ve got an early morning tomorrow. I’ve got to get to bed.
Martha says: He’s right here. I’ll go get ready for bed myself. We’re coming next weekend. Tina called and your dad says we can make the trip.
Aggie says: See you then. Night, Mom. I love you.
Martha says: Night, Aggie. Here’s Dad.
Martha says: I’d change this thing, but I don’t know how.
Aggie says: That’s ok. I know you’re not Mom.
Martha says: How do you know I’m not Mom?
Aggie says: Because Mom would never admit she didn’t know how to do something on the computer. ESPECIALLY if she didn’t know.
Martha says: Touché. How is everything?
Aggie says: Dad, I don’t know what I’m doing. This whole thing is just insane.
Martha says: Top problem of the moment.
Aggie says: I have a house full of grieving children who are afraid to grieve.
Martha says: And how are you grieving?
Aggie says: I don’t have TIME to grieve, Dad! I have a house to get in decent order so the social worker next door doesn’t decide I’m an incompetent parent, children to feed, clothe, and register for school. Need to make a note of that one too. Then there’s the whole “what happened to my life” thing when I look around me and think, “I like this. This is good.” And then I remember that it better be because I have eighteen years of it to go.
Martha says: I know what you mean, Aggie, but if you don’t take the time to grieve, it’s going to hit all at once and hard. And, those children don’t know how to grieve without you. You need to show them how.
Aggie says: I don’t KNOW how, Dad. If it was just me or a child or two, that’d be one thing, but the minute one of us crumbles for even a second, everyone falls apart and it’s hours of recuperation. If I’m gone too long, the kids worry. Tina says my reaction to the tetanus shot the other day had Vannie snapping at everyone and Tavish hiding under the stairs. He didn’t even come out for dinner.
Martha says: I think it’s going to be like that for a while until they realize that they can cry or get angry about their loss anytime they want or need to. But if you don’t set the example, they’re just going to start acting out, and you don’t want that.
Aggie says: It’s been five months…
Martha says: It can take five years… or longer.
Aggie says: Suck it up and do the right thing?
Martha says: And I’ll see how I can help on Friday when we get there. Mom reserved a room at a local bed and breakfast. She’s so excited about seeing your house. I’ll probably have her coming and going half the day, so she will get some rest.
Aggie says: You know, there’s that back room I was planning for a storage room, but I think I need to reconsider it as a guest room. I want you guys to be able to stay here when you come.
Martha says: Well, your Mom can’t handle the stairs, but if there was a sofa bed even…
Aggie says: I don’t
like the idea of mom on a sleeper sofa. I’ll make a guest room. I don’t know what I was thinking. I kept assuming you could take my room. I forgot about the stairs.
Martha says: We’ll see you Friday and don’t worry about the children. They’re more resilient than you think. We’ll get through this.
Aggie says: Night, Dad. Thanks.
Martha says: Night, Aggie-girl.
Chapter 25
Ready. Set. Go.
Saturday, August 2nd
The sun shone on their housewarming party, and the house and yard swelled with guests. Aggie’s attention was diverted from her guests as she heard Mrs. Dyke’s voice through the kitchen window exclaim, “Just tell her, William!”
“I will-- I just can’t get comfortable. This house!” William’s voice almost sounded distraught.
“Aggie isn’t like her, William. She would never put you or anyone else through what she did.” Aggie had trouble following Mrs. Dyke’s pronouns. Who was the other “she?” “I know, Mrs. Dyke; I’m just not rational when it comes to her, and this house--” he sighed. “-- and the memories. I just don’t think--”
Exasperation was evident in every inflection of Wanda Dyke’s voice. Few people had the confidence to be so direct and show irritation toward him. “Not every woman is like Mona, William. Most women would be appalled at what she put you through. Just talk to Aggie. She’ll understand. I think you’ve put her through enough with your bizarre behavior.”
“I know. I have. I just can’t get past the stupid house, but the kids-- Aggie…”
“You’re getting attached, aren’t you?” Aggie couldn’t miss the note of triumph in her neighbor’s voice.
“I don’t know. Sometimes I think I am; other times, I think that it’s just this house and the awful hold it has on me.”
“Not all women are out to hurt you, William. Aggie wouldn’t.”
Mortified, Aggie realized that she wasn’t just an innocent observer any longer and moved away from the window. William might have a genuine interest in her, though, which was a fascinating thought. Aggie wanted to ponder about how she felt about what that meant to her but didn’t have time. Then again, if she didn’t have time to think about it, did she have time to do anything about it if he was? The thoughts were dizzying.
Guests mulled about the house, while the children darted in and out of doors. Tina, the unofficial tour guide, led everyone through the rooms, showing before and after pictures that she’d mounted on poster boards in each one. Once assured that they’d be added to scrapbooks and photo albums, Aggie had ordered half a dozen pictures of each room and let Tina and the children go to town with their collages.
The coffee table, dining room table, and kitchen island were overflowing with housewarming gifts. Fruit baskets, snack tins, houseplants, gift bags, and a few wrapped boxes teetered precariously, like wooden blocks stacked by a baby. One gift wouldn’t be allowed near the kitchen, much less on her island. William, with Tina’s help, had cajoled Aggie into allowing him to bring a kitten as his gift. The last thing she thought she needed was a pet, but William promised that the animal was box trained, weaned, and would probably spend most of its life outdoors, chasing field mice and chipmunks. Now that she’d warmed up to the idea, Aggie couldn’t wait to see the children’s faces when he brought it in the house.
Iris picked up a unique lamp sitting on the kitchen island. “Aggie… wouldn’t this look incredible on that old trunk next to your bed?”
“It’d look wonderful, but you couldn’t really use it. The light would be too low; wouldn’t it?”
“Well, not if you turned the trunk on its end and let it stand half open…”
“Oh, Iris! What a great idea! I’ve never seen those old bobbins made into a lamp, but it’s really amazing.”
William let the screen door bang behind him. The kitten, terrified by all of the noise, the ride, and the unfamiliar surroundings, clawed his arms in a frantic attempt to escape. “Aggie, can you come get this thing?”
Aggie laughed and extricated the kitten from William’s arms. “He’s cute!”
“She. I got a girl so you wouldn’t have spraying issues. Even neutered toms spray sometimes.”
Aggie cuddled with the kitten in one of the chairs by the fireplace, gifts from her parents and delivered early that morning. “I love the orange and white. She looks like sourdough toast with marmalade.”
Before long, the children surrounded her, each vying for a chance to pet, hold, or squish the poor creature. Squeals of excitement made the kitten shake with fright, until Aggie sent Vannie upstairs to put the kitten in her room. “There’s a basket under my bed for her.”
“What’s her name, Aunt Aggie?” Vannie walked toward the stairs petting the kitten’s soft fur.
“She doesn’t have one yet. You be thinking of one, and we’ll talk about it after dinner.”
* * *
“So, Aggie. Did you have a nice time?” William and Aggie sat on the back swing, watching the fireflies and dodging the June bugs.
“I can’t believe how many people came. It was wonderful. I really got to know some of the members of The Church, and that was really important to me. I’ve felt like such an outsider.”
William nodded. “I felt that way when I moved back here too.”
“Moved back? Oh, right, you grew up here, didn’t you?” Aggie had forgotten.
William talked of summer days working with Mr. Dyke. “He was like a second father to me when my dad took off.”
“That must have been so hard. I can’t imagine what would possess a man to leave his family like that. Are you sure something terrible didn’t happen to him?”
“I checked, when I was in the academy, as part of an assignment. He’s alive and living down in Florida.”
Aggie was silent. She rocked the swing and eventually picked up the kitten when she walked by. “Are you ever sorry you came back here? I mean this town must have sad memories for you and everything.”
“It’s been hard at times, but I love Brant’s Corners, and well, Mrs. Dyke doesn’t have anyone anymore. I’m all she has left.”
“I thought she had several children.” Aggie was confused.
“Four. All boys. Three died in Vietnam, and the youngest was shot in the line of duty seven years ago. He left behind his mother and a fiancée that committed suicide a year later.”
Aggie noticed the difference in talking to William and Luke. William thought quickly and spoke decisively. Luke was more prone to listen and think before saying anything. Aggie wondered why William’s quicker conversation was grating on her, when she usually found the delays in conversation with Luke so frustrating.
“You’ve done a good job with this place, Aggie. It was such an eyesore for so long.”
Aggie nodded. “I have hardly done anything, but Luke has been worth his weight in gold.”
“You have become pretty good friends, haven’t you?” William’s voice seemed too tense.
Aggie nodded again. “And his mother. She’s such a special woman. How about your mom, does she live here?”
William startled visibly. “No, I think Mom is in Virginia. She’s in pretty poor health.”
Aggie recalled the earlier conversation between William and her neighbor. Who was Mona? Did William have an ex that had hurt him terribly? Did he have a wife in the past? Had they lived in this house? Aggie gathered the courage to ask a few questions.
“William? Have you ever been married?” He shook his head, and Aggie considered dropping the subject, but she had to try once more. “Ever wanted to?”
William was uncharacteristically thoughtful. Then, as though he realized that he had been silent for too long, answered quickly. “Not until recently. I’ll have to wait and see if God agrees, I guess.”
Aggie shrugged, as awkwardness stole over the conversation. “Well, you’re so uncomfortable in this house; I wondered if maybe you’d been married or loved someone who lived here or something. It sounds pretty
silly, now that I say it.” Aggie was almost embarrassed.
“It’s closer to the truth than you’d think, Naggie Aggie, but it’s not what you assume.”
William glanced at Aggie and wondered what was wrong with him. Most men sitting outside with an eligible woman that they found intriguing would focus the conversation on the woman. Why did personal situations always make him act so socially backward?
“What about you? Did you leave someone special when your sister passed away?” William hoped she’d say no. She had given up so much; it would hurt to think that she’d given up yet another dream for her family.
“No, I’ve never had anyone special to me like that, and obviously I’ve never been married!” Aggie laughed. “Were you and Mur-- Ellene close at one time? She kind of hinted at it once, but you don’t act like exes or anything like that.”
William was frustrated. Mrs. Dyke had warned him that Ellene had hopes for a deeper relationship, but until now he hadn’t taken it too seriously. She was right, however. Ellene was definitely making herself readily available. “No. I helped her get over a bad relationship, and we became good friends. Mrs. Dyke thinks she’s here for other reasons, but we’ll see. I can’t see that ever working out for us. We’d be miserable together.”
As William and Aggie continued to talk, Ellene overheard heard more than she wanted. She’d seen them out talking and planned to join them, but hearing the obvious lack of interest in William’s voice hurt. Mrs. Dyke was right. She came to Brant’s Corners to see if there was a chance that she and William were compatible, and apparently, William was certain they weren’t. As Aggie discussed a myriad of topics with him, Ellene went inside her home to take inventory of her life.
Aggie stopped talking mid-sentence. “What is that?” She walked over to something under the tree and found a scrapbook lying in the dew-dampened grass. “Would you look at this? They all worked hard on this, and now look at it. Half of this thing is ruined!”
William’s eyes widened as Aggie, furious, marched into the house holding the scrapbook. He jumped up and followed, ready to try to calm her down. Aggie mopped up the damage, trying to flatten the pages. “I’ll have to figure out who took this out there tomorrow. They’ve got some fixing to do.”
Ready or Not (Aggie's Inheritance) Page 37
