The Future Memoir of Ann Jones

by Alex Bailey

“A golf club meets at night? Who plays golf at night?” Alex tilted her head to one side with a confused look.

  “Don’t know. Never asked him, maybe they have lights on the golf course?” As she answered, she became curious herself. Why have I never thought of that?

  “Well, at any rate, he sounds ideal for you. What do you have to lose?” Alex shrugged. She took out the tea bag and mint leaf and took a sip.

  “Thanks Alex, I’ll really have to give it some more thought.” Ann then pondered her other question. It pertained to whether or not she should jump back on a plane to ensure that she didn’t miss Knitting Club. She was agitated brooding about it.

  “I’ve got another question. This whole thing about Jasmine dying on her knitting needles.” She raised her voice and threw her hands in the air. “Alex, the woman didn’t knit! How did she die like that, when she didn’t even knit?”

  “Okay, you need to calm down. She could very easily have taken her needles on the trip to give it a try. Maybe she felt silly being in a knitting group not knowing how to knit, and thought the perfect time to learn a new hobby would be on vacation. I don’t think you need to give it that much thought.”

  “Well, did I tell you our leader predicted her demise?” Ann said sullenly, while downing a gulp of coffee.

  “Yes, you did, and that doesn’t prove anything.” Alex swished her hand in the air as if dismissing that last comment.

  “Did I also tell you our leader warned me I’d suffer the same fate if I didn’t return in time for the meeting?” Ann’s hand shook as she started to realize that there was too much coincidence to be coincidental.

  Alex threw an arm around her friend’s shoulder, “Come on, Ann, you didn’t even bring your knitting needles with you on this trip. I don’t think you’re going to suddenly run out and buy some and then fall asleep while knitting in a chair.”

  When she heard Alex say it, it did sound ridiculous. But that didn’t convince Ann that something ridiculous couldn’t happen. The more she thought about Freda’s words, the more concerned she became. And the warning from Gloria didn’t help either. It was really starting to sink in that she needed to get back as soon as she could. She felt an urgent need to get on a plane and head back home. Knitting Club was in ten hours. She didn’t have a seat on the plane. She needed to switch her flight and find a ride to the airport. ASAP!

  Ann jumped out of her seat in a panic, “Alex, I know you don’t understand, but I really do need to get back. Today. Now! Can you give me a ride to the airport?”

  Alex looked puzzled, but seeing her friend’s harried reaction, she said, “Sure. Of course.”

  “I don’t even know if I can get a flight out!” Ann said, her voice breaking.

  “Tell you what. You go pack. Give me your ticket and I’ll call the airline.”

  “You’re the best friend in the world, Alex!”

  “I know it,” Alex teased. “Glad you know it too. Now get packing.”

  Chapter 28

  Ann had been sad to leave Alex and the kids behind. But getting back in time for the meeting was the right thing to do. And besides, she was done de-stressing. She was ready to get back to her new life and continue the progress on her new business venture and personal life.

  With the delay in takeoff at the airport, Ann was now worried whether she even had the possibility of making the knitting club meeting. Forgetting to call Gloria for a ride before the plane took off, Ann hailed a cab when she landed. It was a two-hour drive, and as long as there were no more delays, she could still make it in time.

  Ann took a deep breath and eased into the headrest of the cab. It was still light outside, and she noticed the Burrburgh Times newspaper on the seat next to her. Perhaps it would help take her mind off things if she buried herself in the local news. Plus, she was interested to see what had happened in her newly-adopted home since she’d been gone.

  The front-page headline read,

  Prominent business owner dead at 43

  Burrburgh resident, John Fitzpatrick, was found dead on Saturday in his office by the building’s cleaning staff, of an apparent heart attack. Fitzpatrick owned and operated the Burrburgh Body Shop, whose motto was, “If It Aint Broke, We Won’t Fix It.” The staff at the body shop was in shock when they heard the tragic news. “Don’t know what we’ll do without the boss,” Seth Underwood, an employee at the body shop said in an exclusive interview, “guess we’ll just keep fixing stuff…if it’s broke, that is.” Fitzpatrick was cremated, according to his wishes. The funeral service was held on Sunday at the body shop, where his ashes were spread around the shop floor. They were later swept up by the same cleaning staff that discovered his body. Fitzpatrick leaves behind his wife, Colleen Fitzpatrick; mother, Myrna Fitzpatrick; father, Rick Fitzpatrick; son, Patrick Fitzpatrick; and grandmother, Bab Chung.

  Ann was surprised to hear of two deaths within a week of each other. For the entire two and a half months she’d lived in Burrburgh, she hadn’t heard of a single death. She wondered if Mindy knew him, since she owned a car repair shop. Car repair and body shops are pretty similar, right?

  * * * * *

  When Ann arrived at Freda’s house without a moment to spare, she withdrew all the money in her wallet and handed it to the cab driver, grabbed her suitcases, and fled onto Freda’s front porch.

  The owner opened the door with a stern look. Ann felt the cold stare, even though she expected Freda to be happy she showed up.

  She looked Ann up and down. “So, I see you haven’t brought any snacks. The one damn time I didn’t get around to doing any baking and you show up empty-handed.”

  Ann guffawed, which made Freda’s glare even stronger. “You’re so funny. I just got back from California. I haven’t even been home yet.”

  She stepped aside to allow Ann to enter. “They’re downstairs, waiting on you.”

  When Ann reached the basement, Gloria raced up to Ann, threw her arms around her, and squeezed hard. “I was so worried you wouldn’t show.”

  “Come now, you know me better than that.” Ann beamed at her friend, her eyes twinkled.

  They took their seats in the normal positions on the sofa. Ann noticed Gloria’s right ring finger was absent her wedding ring. She made a mental note to inquire at a later date. She also noticed a new face in the group. A dark-skinned woman with bushy black hair, sitting in Jasmine’s seat.

  “Okay everyone, we’ll have a moment of silence for our dearly departed sister, Jasmine.” Heads bowed.

  After a moment, Freda broke the silence, “As you can see, we have a new member. This is Colleen—”

  “Fitzpatrick,” Ann found herself saying aloud.

  All eyes turned toward Ann.

  “Yes, Fitzpatrick,” Freda said. “Why don’t we go around the circle and introduce ourselves. Bubbles, since you’re busting at the seams, why don’t you go first.”

  “Hi, I’m Bubbles. I work at the Okey Dokey Corral grocery store. Maybe you’ve come through my line? Well, just wanted to say I am officially dating Pete!” Bubbles sat on the edge of her seat, like she was about to jump out of her chair with excitement. “He works there too. He’s such a sweet, cute man. Always so attentive. If you haven’t seen him, just stop by the courtesy counter. He’s always there. Anyway, when we were out shopping the other day, we stopped in a jewelry store and looked at the engagement rings! Pete’s never been married!”

  “Wait just one minute!” Freda interrupted, shaking a finger toward Bubbles. “You know the rules, we won’t go into that now, but don’t press it, lady!”

  Bubbles looked like all the air had just seeped out of her. She lowered her gazed as her head drooped and her hands lay still in her lap. She squeaked out, “Yes, ma’am. I know the rules. We were just looking.”

  Ann was beginning to understand knitting club rules were to be taken literally and were not to be broken. She couldn’t take a chance. Everyone else believed these peculiar rules were real. She had already seen first-hand what happe
ned when one of the rules was broken, and she was not going to tempt fate. She resolved, then and there, to remain single for the rest of her life. And Ben’s proposal of moving in together was not only acceptable, but the perfect solution.

  * * * * *

  On opening day of the bakery, a large sign outside her shop with a picture of Ann’s grandmother and Honey read, Ann’s Bakery and Fido Food—Featuring Granny Smith’s Cookies and Honey’s Biscuits. Ann was pleased with all she’d accomplished; she had even designed the sign herself.

  The afghan that she’d knitted decorated one of the walls. Next to it, a basket of yarn and knitting needles sat on a stack of wooden crates beside a small table. Ann figured if folks wanted to have a snack and do a little stitching, that was fine by her. She straightened a sign over an empty pickle barrel that read, “Drop your donations here for Charities R Us.” She walked over to the pet corner and hung the sign she’d just made. It was a self-portrait of Ann walking to Freda’s house holding a plate of cookies and Honey beside her that read, “For pets only, accompanied by their best friends”.

  Helga was all smiles and gave a little wave as she sat at a corner table opposite the pet corner. Ann had created a sign for Helga as well. It had a crystal ball with the announcement, Madame Helga’s Palm and Tarot Card Reader.

  “Ready?” Ann asked.

  “Sure am!” Helga squealed. She jumped out of her chair and hugged Ann. “I can’t thank you enough for giving me this chance.”

  “I’m happy to help.” Ann retreated behind the counter to await the arrival of her first customer.

  As cookies warmed under heat lamps in the display case, Gloria stood next to Ann, ready to help serve the many customers they expected. Ann already had a following through Daniel’s restaurant, but since she’d been so busy with the opening of the bakery, she hadn’t had time to fill orders for Daniel. Word had gotten out that her cookies would once again be available. Sitting next to the cookies were several dozen muffins provided by Leila and the Green Bean staff. On top of the case, were bags of pet treats, tied up in purple and green ribbons.

  “I’m quite proud of you,” Gloria hugged her friend.

  “You know what? I’m proud of myself. I never thought I could do something like this. It’s very exciting. And I’m glad I had you, Ben, and Daniel to help me. I couldn’t have done it without you guys.”

  “Not true. You would have been a smashing success even without our interference. And I have some good news for you.” Gloria looked as though she’d just found the last piece of cheesecake hidden in the back of the refrigerator. “I hope this will make your day even brighter.”

  “Oh, do tell,” Ann rubbed her hands together as if she were about to hear some juicy gossip.

  “Daniel and I are moving in together!”

  Ann squealed, and then danced around in a circle. “What made you change your mind?”

  “You did.”

  “Me?” Ann shrugged with palms up. “How?”

  “When you made the decision that being with Benjamin was the most important aspect of your life, it dawned on me that you were right. I can’t give Daniel everything he wants—marriage and a family. But I can give him part of what he wants. And he wants a relationship. With me. I can give him that.”

  “And he’ll be happy with whatever you can give. He’s quite the understanding chap, you know,” Ann teased.

  “Well, there is one more thing,” Gloria’s smile broadened.

  “More?” Ann wasn’t sure she could take more good news on her opening day. “Wow, okay, shoot!”

  “Daniel’s agreeable to having me attempt to implant the remaining embryos. The ones in storage.” Gloria’s face said it all. She was elated.

  Ann couldn’t believe her ears and couldn’t be happier for her friends. “He’s willing to help raise another man’s child? That’s indescribably wonderful! Do you know what a great guy you have there?” Ann’s heart warmed as she watched her friend glow in happiness.

  “Actually, it was all his idea! I was considering disposing of the embryos. But I just couldn’t let go. Once I did, I knew I was letting go of Charles. Daniel and I talked. He said he would love any child I brought into the world. And if this doesn’t work, we’ll try to conceive the old-fashioned way.”

  Ann hugged her tightly. She could not have heard better news from her friend. “I’m so happy for you both!”

  Daniel and Ben walked into the bakery through the back door and caught the women in their sappy moment. “I take it the Brit has spilled the good word.”

  “What good word?” Ben asked.

  Ann looked at Gloria pleadingly, and Gloria nodded, “Go ahead, steal our thunder.”

  Ann knew it wasn’t her place to tell Gloria’s news. She was just overjoyed for Gloria, and happy that she finally knew something Ben didn’t. “No, you do the honors, it’s your news.”

  “Ann, dear, I was joking. Tell the old man the news.”

  “What’s going on?” Ben asked patiently.

  “Daniel and Gloria are moving in together!” Ann blurted out.

  Ben slapped his friend on the back. “It’s about damn time!”

  “Thanks,” Daniel cringed at the back slap, “I think.”

  Gloria glared at Daniel. “And what do you mean by that?”

  “No, not you, love,” Daniel said, with a frown. “That brute over there nearly gave me whiplash.” He straightened up and stood tall.

  “Alright, enough celebrating. We have a bakery to open!” Gloria announced.

  And they all lived happily ever after.

  The End.

  Except…

  As you can see, Bea, the story sounds a bit far-fetched. Ann’s recollection of the incidents was quite clear and crisp, but rather difficult to believe. I wondered if she was trying to tell me in a polite way that my stories lately had been a bit on the bland side and that her “disclosing” this “vision” was just trying to help me get my groove back. Honestly, I didn’t realize she was truly seeing the future until a week later…

  I dropped by Ann’s house to check on her since I hadn’t heard a word following the vision visit. And that’s quite atypical. I usually hear from her daily—unlike a favorite sister of mine, who is content with two postcards a year. I wanted to tell her I didn’t think it was a very good idea to bring up the box incident with Tom; it may make him paranoid since there are no boxes in her house. But when I walked in, Ann was packing and Tom was carrying boxes down to the basement. She had a sparkle in her eye.

  I stopped for a brief second, a little taken aback with what I was witnessing. Didn’t Ann’s vision include Tom falling down the stairs carrying boxes to the basement? If she was so worried about it coming true, why would she put him in this situation?

  “Heya, kiddo!” Ann called from the dining room. “Sorry for the mess.”

  “Hi Tom,” I said as he passed by with a large load in his arms. “How are you?” I was worried about the load he was carrying.

  “I’ll be better, Alex. Like, when I’m done moving all these damn boxes.”

  I made my way through the chaos to the dining room and asked the obvious question, “So, Ann, what’s going on? What’s all this mess?”

  “You know. Lightening the load. Spring cleaning. Sorting through some stuff. Getting rid of some of the kids’ old things.”

  I lifted a crystal bowl from one of the open boxes and peered inside. These weren’t the kids’ things. These were wedding gifts. I know, because I was the recorder of the gifts when she opened them. I meticulously kept the list so she would have an easy time of writing her thank-you notes. I specifically remembered the bowl was part of the loot she’d received, because it was from her Aunt Zenobia, and we wondered where the bowl had really come from. Her quirky aunt lived on the side of a mountain and went diamond hunting in the mines after the miners had gone home for the day. She used to say that finders were keepers, especially on someone else’s property. She was also the aunt who would
put crystal salt and pepper shakers in her purse from fine restaurants and called it “carry-out.”

  I frowned and Ann caught a glimpse of my questioning look. “Okay, okay. I’m de-cluttering because the kids will be out of the house soon. We don’t need all this stuff taking up space.”

  “It looks like you are down-sizing to me,” I remarked, wondering exactly what she had planned. A move to the East Coast, per chance?

  Adrien walked into the room and shrieked, “Aunt Alex! How are you? God, I missed you.” She put her arms around my neck and squeezed.

  “Are you excited about graduation?” You know, Bea, I’ve always been close to Ann’s kids; we’re all one big family. Good thing too since I’m never getting nieces or nephews out of my sister!

  “Sure am!” Adrien said. “Can’t wait to go away to college. Guess it won’t be long until you’re an empty-nester too, huh?” she asked, not knowing that I really would rather not think about my children leaving home.

  “I’ve still got some time,” I said, keeping my chin up.

  “So, are you going to be throwing out all your kids’ stuff like Mom’s doing to us when they go off to college?”

  “I’m not throwing anything out,” Ann protested. “I’m just cleaning up some things and making room.”

  “Aunt Alex, come here. I want you to see what she’s done to my room!” Adrien grabbed my hand and dragged me into her room.

  I was shocked to say the least; it was an empty shell! Nothing but a bed and a dresser.

  “See what I mean? I don’t know what’s up with Mom lately. She’s really acting weird.”

  “She’s not exaggerating!” Adam poked his head in, with a frown. “Mom said she wants us to take a vacation right after graduation! I’m supposed to go to the beach with my friends.”

  “Yeah, she told us not to make any plans; that she wants to spend every minute with us this summer. She acts like she’s never going to see us again!” Adrien said.

  What could I say to these kids? I couldn’t let on that I was beginning to think their cozy family unit was about to be un-done. “I don’t know what to say, guys. Maybe just be patient with her. She might be going through a tough time with you both leaving at once.”