Charlotte Figg Takes Over Paradise

by Joyce Magnin

  "Like what?" I sipped my tea. And then I broke off a chunk of pork. It melted in my mouth it was so tender and tasty. I slipped a chunk to Lucky. He swallowed it whole then rolled onto his back making yummy noises, begging for more.

  "Don't know. But there will come a day when Suzy has had enough."

  "So we wait," I said. "We just sit idly by and wait."

  "Sometimes waiting is the hardest thing to do but also the best thing to do. Wait and trust, Charlotte. God has Suzy in his palm too, you know."

  26

  The next day was, of course, Sunday, and that meant church. Rose came by early enough to ask if I was going and, I suspected, to check on me.

  "No," I said. "I think I'll stay home today."

  "You sure, Charlotte?" Rose helped herself to coffee. "You had quite a scare yesterday. Church might be the best thing."

  "I'm sure, Rose. You go on."

  Rose sipped her coffee. "I understand, Charlotte."

  "Maybe while you're there you can ask God why he's letting this happen."

  "That's not the right question. I'll just ask him what we should do now."

  "Yeah, Fergus has the whole ball of wax in his court. What are we supposed to do now?"

  Rose snagged my ball and glove from the kitchen counter. She tossed the ball in the air and caught it. "Softball, Charlotte. Right now we're supposed to play softball."

  Lucky, who had been resting at my feet, jumped up like he had been stung and lapped water from his bowl with loud, obnoxious laps.

  "That dog thinks he's so smart. He drinks a gallon of water, then he has to run outside to pee. It's just an excuse to chase squirrels. He thinks I'm not on to his tricks."

  "So are we having a practice later? We should get everyone together before the big game on Tuesday. I know I can use the practice."

  "Sure, sure. I'll call a practice for tomorrow. We'll drill through the fundamentals again. That's the only way we'll win that game—back to basics. Nothing fancy."

  Rose tossed me the ball and said, "Now you sound like Coach Charlotte. I'll see you later."

  I dusted and then scrubbed out the tub and washed the kitchen floor just to make time fly, but I admit I felt rattled and kept Lucky nearby except when he used his doggie door to do his business. Asa had put it in for me when he patched a hole in my roof. "It'll just make it easier for Lucky and you," he said."Won't have to get out of bed too early in the morning if you don't want to. Especially when it gets cold."

  After I scrubbed the bathroom and vacuumed, I felt a trifle better and sat down with a bowl of potato chips to watch the Phillies game when the phone rang.

  "Hello?"

  "Charlotte, dear, this is your mother."

  "I know, Mom. How are you?"

  "To tell the truth, not so great. My arthritis is kicking up— you know, in my hip, and I've had just a splitting headache for days now. Doctor said it was nothing to worry about, so I got to thinking that a change of scenery might be the ticket. I've decided to come stay with you in Paradise, dear. For the summer."

  I dropped the telephone into the bowl on my lap, and potato chips flew all over the place.

  "Charlotte? Charlotte?" I could hear her without even putting the phone to my ear. "Did you hear me, dear? You still there? Or is it that lousy mountain phone connection again?"

  I picked up the phone. "Here? With me? But why, Mother? You love it at Cocoa Reef."

  "Of course, I do, but I need to get away from all of these old people down here. I am not as old as them."

  "Yes, you are, Mother."

  She snorted air into the phone. "Well, according to my driver's license I might be, but not in spirit, Charlotte. Bunch of old fogies around here. A woman can only take so much. Why, just the other day I got another flyer about a Summer Under the Stars Dance. Goodness gracious, I am not the sock hop type, Charlotte. It's embarrassing to see all the old curmudgeons shaking their booty, as the kids say these days. I hate the disco music."

  "You should go. You might make a friend."

  "And then on the flyer which looked like it was drawn in crayon, it said if your last name begins with A-M to bring a salad. The N-Z's get to bring dessert. Why do the A-Ms always get salad, Charlotte?"

  "Salad comes before dessert, I guess."

  "Precisely, dear. No one down here wants to take the chance on change. Charlotte, I'm telling you I need to get away. I need dessert before salad."

  "But why here? Go to Bermuda or the South of France or Italy. You always wanted to go to Italy."

  "Only if you come with me. Charlotte, come to Italy with me."

  I felt my blood pressure rise. I loved my mother dearly, but the idea of traveling clear across the globe with her gave me the willies. She'd probably think it would be fun to go by ship, a nice, slow ship.

  "I can't, Mother. I have the Angels."

  "The what?"

  "Angels. Softball."

  I heard her mutter something to my father's picture. "That stupid softball thing again. Aren't you too old for softball? Come to Italy. I'll pay for everything."

  "The team is important to me." I wandered around the trailer with the phone in my hand. Fortunately, Asa had put an extra long cord on it for me. I could even go out back if I wanted."Lucky," I called. I just that minute realized I hadn't seen him and he always came running when Grandmom called.

  "Who?" Lillian asked.

  "I'm looking for my dog."

  "Now, look, Charlotte, it's all arranged. I arrive tomorrow afternoon. I'll taxi out."

  "I could come get you."

  "No, no. I still can't get used to you driving that big old Herman car. I'd rather take my chances on a cab."

  "Fine. I have to go find Lucky."

  I hung up the phone. "Lucky, Lucky," I called. He didn't come and my heart pounded. My thoughts turned to Fergus."No," I said. "He wouldn't."

  I pulled open the front door and called. Three times, four, then tore into the yard looking for my dog. Hazel was in her front yard. "Did you see Lucky?" I hollered across the street.

  She shrugged, at least I thought it was a shrug. Hard to tell with Hazel and that hump. "No, Charlotte."

  I sat on my wooden walkway as tears streamed down my cheeks. "Lucky," I cried. "Where are you?"

  A few moments later I heard rustling behind the trailer and went to investigate, thinking it was just some raccoons or Old Man Hawkins flushing out Nazis or Red Coats or whoever the enemy du jour was.

  "Here's your dog back." Fergus held Lucky by the neck. He had him muzzled.

  "You creep," I said. "How dare you?"

  Fergus ripped off the muzzle, and Lucky barked to high heaven and ran to me. He snarled and growled and bared his teeth at Fergus.

  "Just remember, Charlotte. This is our little secret. You tell no one about Suzy. Let this be a lesson. I mean what I say."Then he walked off like a pompous pigeon, like he hadn't a care in the world.

  I took Lucky into the house, where I checked him all over for cuts or scrapes or bruises. "Lucky, I'm so sorry. Are you all right?" He licked my face as his stubby little tail wiped the linoleum. "Did that mean old Fergus hurt you?"

  After another minute or so Lucky found his water bowl. I gave him two large Milk-Bones and then I called Mother.

  "Hello?" she said.

  "Mother, it's me, Charlotte." My heart raced.

  "I know that. What is it? If you're calling to try and—"

  "No, Mother. I just called to say, I'm glad you're coming."

  27

  Monday arrived with bright sunshine and a slight breeze that puffed the curtains in my bedroom windows. I breathed in the fresh air that had a tinge of honeysuckle on it. "Now, this, this is what I think we came to Paradise for," I told Lucky. I plumped up my pillows behind me and closed my eyes, trying to put the events of the previous day aside and daydreamed of what it would be like when all the repairs were completed and my trailer was finally finished. I imagined yellow and white striped awnings on every window and pi
nk and purple trailing verbena and bright red bromeliads blooming in hanging baskets. For a few short minutes I forgot about Fergus and his threats. I let my mind wander and watched the Angels score run after run until I remembered Lillian DeSalle was coming to town.

  I stood on the front stoop and kept a watchful eye on Lucky. I was not about to let him out of my sight. I also decided to put the whole Fergus incident in a different brain compartment and concentrate on the game. The way I saw it, right then there was nothing I could do that would not jeopardize Suzy's life.

  Lucky sniffed around the maple tree a while, and then I called him. "Come on, boy. Time for breakfast."

  I filled Lucky's bowl with kibble and then opened a can of stinky Alpo, which I dumped into his other bowl. "There you go, fella. Eat hearty. Your grandmother is coming later."

  He looked at me with raised eyebrows as he slurped his Beef Banquet.

  "That's right. Grandmom is coming."

  Of course, she didn't bother to give me a time. But I had scheduled a practice for ten o'clock that morning. We had perfect softball weather. There was no call for rain today or tomorrow. I gathered my glove and coaching notes and headed over to the field.

  All the Angels were present. Rose was already in her shin guards and Asa was pitching to her. I loved to watch him catch the ball in one hand and then pitch it back. He was like a machine.

  "Good morning," I called as I waved everyone around.

  "Morning, Charlotte," Marlabeth said. "That sure was a great barbecue."

  I nodded and everyone took turns exclaiming their joy at eating roast hog and burgers, pie and corn, and watching the children scramble around.

  "And did you see Suzy?" Ginger said. "She and Fergus looked like two peas in a pod, happy and joyful."

  I shot Rose a glance, "Okay, okay, let's get started."

  Greta, who was off with the children, ran toward me. "We can't start until Fleur de Lee shows up. She's supposed to watch the little varmints again."

  "She's not here? Asa, were you supposed to get her?"

  "No one said anything to me, but I'll run on over to Haven House and snag her."

  "Thanks."

  Greta went back to the kids, who scrambled like roaches all over the Frost Sisters' property.

  "Let's just run some bases," I said. "Greta won't run the bases, anyway."

  "Not until she's done nursing Ruth."

  I snapped my fingers. "I want you all to know that my mother, Lillian DeSalle, is coming to visit. She'll be here later, today, and I would appreciate it if you all gave her a warm welcome."

  "Sure, sure, we will, Charlotte." And they took off around the bases. Ginger led the pack, as usual.

  Asa arrived a short time later with Fleur de Lee, who headed straight for the children with a definitely more pronounced waddle.

  "Now remember, Marlabeth," I said. "Keep your eye on the ball and swing through. Don't flinch partway."

  Marlabeth swung six times without hitting the ball. Well, not really. She got a piece of one but fouled it off.

  Greta stepped up to the batter's box. She slapped home plate twice with her bat and then got into her stance. "Say, Marlabeth," she said. "Fleur de Lee is looking a little uncomfortable today. She's got the penguin wobble something fierce. Maybe you should check her."

  "She's not due for two weeks. Baby might have dropped, though. I'll check her before she goes back to Haven House."

  Frankie pitched and Greta swung hard, hitting a line drive right over Ginger's head, which admittedly was not hard to do, and into center field where Edwina snagged it and tossed to first. Greta was safe by two strides.

  I stood there and applauded. It was a tremendous effort. The Angels had become a team. We practiced for another hour before I called it quits.

  "Come on in," I called. "Gather around."

  The Angels formed a circle around me. "Great practice today, but let's quit now. I don't want to wear you all out or risk an injury before tomorrow."

  "Ah, Charlotte," Frankie said, "can't we play a little longer?"

  "Yeah, please," the others agreed.

  "No, no. Let's just make this an easy day. Tomorrow will be here soon enough."

  After putting away the equipment, the team scattered. Marlabeth spoke with Fleur de Lee. Rose and I watched from the sidelines.

  "She is mighty pregnant," Rose said.

  "And she's not even due for two weeks."

  "Maybe sooner," Rose said.

  Marlabeth felt her belly and shook her head. I watched her raise two fingers. "Looks like Marlabeth thinks Fleur de Lee still has some time."

  That was when Asa dashed over. "I'll take her back to Haven House," he said on his way past.

  Rose and I walked home together.

  "So, your mother is really coming."

  I sucked air and blew it out my nose. "Yep. Later today."

  "That will be nice."

  I laughed. "Maybe. But my mother can be such a pain in the—"

  "How long is she staying?"

  "Alllllll summer." I dragged out the word all for emphasis.

  "Yikes," Rose said. "I'll pray for you."

  "Thanks. But she's not all that bad. Not really. I try not to let her get to me."

  We made our way through the woods and out onto the road.

  "Oh, no," I said. "Look at that!"

  Rose followed my finger with her eyes. "What? It's a taxi. So what?"

  "My mother. She's here." I swallowed. "Want to meet her?"

  Rose twisted her mouth and shuffled her feet. "I would love to meet your mother, but I need a shower first. I don't want to make a bad first impression."

  "Listen, with my mother, any impression is most likely a bad one."

  Sure enough, Lillian waited on my wooden path with six pieces of luggage, two boxes secured with string, what looked like a hatbox, and a gilded birdcage that carried her parakeet, Tweety.

  I waved with a circular swipe of my hand. "Mother. I would have met you, but I didn't know what time you were arriving."

  "Charlotte." She set the cage down and walked toward me. I walked toward her. "You look skinny, dear," she said. "Have you lost weight?"

  I kissed her cheek and then pulled her in for a hug. "Mom, I'm glad you're here."

  She pulled away from me. "Really? You're really glad? You're not just saying that?"

  "No. I am truly glad."

  We stood there a second eyeing each other until she turned around, stared long and hard at my trailer, and said, "You do know it is the color of the inside of an Andes Crème de Menthe Mint."

  "Yes, Mother. I'm aware. I'm planning on having it painted."

  Mother took the birdcage and a small bag.

  I pushed open the door and watched my mother take a breath like she was diving off a cliff, then walk inside. Lucky wasted no time greeting her and practically pushed her outside. She teetered on the threshold, still clutching the birdcage. I grabbed Tweety, and she grabbed the door jamb. "Lucky," I said. "Down, boy."

  "That brute," Lillian said. "He almost killed me."

  "You better go outside," I told the dog, and he gave me a dejected look and scampered outside.

  "Well, you didn't have to banish him," Lillian said. "He just surprised me. I forgot you said you got a dog."

  "He'll be fine, Mother. He'll play with the squirrels."

  She looked around the trailer. "So, this is it."

  "Yes. I'm still fixing it up, but it has some real charm, doesn't it, Mother?"

  She moved toward the kitchen, following the natural slope of the as-yet-unleveled trailer. "Oh dear, Charlotte, is it supposed to do that?"

  "You mean the slope?"

  "Yes, I . . . I feel dizzy, dear. Perhaps I should sit."

  I helped her to the sofa. "Just sit and let me get your stuff."

  I handed off the bird to her. She sat there with the cage on her knees while I hauled her luggage inside and set it in the extra bedroom. She followed me. "Is this my room?" She stepp
ed over the threshold still carrying the cage and set it on the dresser.

  "He can't stay there, of course. You wouldn't happen to have one of those stands for cages, would you, Charlotte? You know what I mean, the kind with a hook you can hang the cage from?" She opened a small case and took out my father's picture. She kissed it and then put it on the dresser.

  I shook my head, wondering why she would think I would have a birdcage stand. "Sorry, but I suppose we could buy one."

  "Maybe later," she said as she pushed on the mattress. "Too bad the Fuller Brush didn't sell bird supplies."

  "The mattress is practically brand-new," I said.

  "It's not too soft, is it? You know my back and all."

  "It's fine, Mother. Now, you must have had a long day. Would you like to freshen up? Are you hungry?"

  She glanced at her watch. "It's only a little before one. But I am kind of tired and a bit shaken, to tell the truth, Charlotte. That silly pilot found every air pocket in the sky. I was a perfect nervous Nellie the whole trip. Perhaps a nap would soothe my frazzled nerves. You can help me unpack later. I'll just rest in my traveling clothes."

  "That's fine. The sheets are fresh and I was going to bring some flowers but you got here a little earlier than—"

  "It's okay, Charlotte. Flowers just make my nose itch anymore."

  "Should I wake you or—"

  "I'll wake myself, dear."

  "Not unless Old Man Hawkins wakes her first," I whispered.

  She sat on the edge of the bed and slipped off her sensible shoes. "What did you say?"

  "Nothing. Have a good rest. I'll make us a nice dinner."

  "Don't go to any trouble."

  I closed the door and took a deep breath, which I held until I got to the living room and flopped onto the sofa. Lucky placed a paw on my knee and looked at me as if to say, "So, how long is she staying?"

  "Just until Labor Day," I said. "Not long, two months or so." I chewed a nail and spit it on the floor. "Two months . . .or so."