Argosy Junction

by Chautona Havig

  Matt didn’t even attempt to correct her. There was no point to it, and seeing the child so happy again was worth the risk that Martha Argosy would suddenly decide to rush down that street in the mad dash for a late night novel. Lane sat silently beside him nursing a headache and feeling the relief of removed responsibility— simultaneously.

  After Martha changed into a fresh skirt and blouse, they took her on walking tour of the city. Patience chattered happily about the different places they’d visited, what they’d eaten, whom they’d met—all with a running commentary of her personal opinions of everything. “Look! That’s where we went to hear the lady read her book. She was a terrible reader. I think they should have had Matt read. He knows how to read!”

  “Well sweetheart, so do you. You make it sound—”

  Patience interrupted her mother to explain. “No, not like that. I mean, he makes things sound wonderful when he reads them, and she sounded like someone was sticking her with pins after every few words.”

  She skipped happily ahead of them peering into the store window to see if the author was still there—presumably just waiting to meet Patience’s mother! Martha gave Lane an exasperated look. “You’ve let her get away with murder!”

  “Well…”

  Matt rested his hands on Lane’s shoulders and kneaded the knots around her neck. “I think that eagerness to share it with you combined with homesickness and a little bit of exhaustion is making things a little difficult for her today. She’s really been a delight.”

  Martha looked uncertain, but thanked him for taking care of her girls. Her quiet appreciation extended to the way he led them safely through the subway and watched cautiously over Patience as she handed out a handful of what looked like business cards. They rode the subway to three stops from Matt’s home and waved at his parents who waited for them near the escalators.

  Martha and Carol both noted the hesitation in Matt’s voice as he introduced his parents to Lane’s mother. Martha interpreted it as evidence that Matt’s parents disapproved of Lane, and Carol was mortified to think her son was ashamed of them. It was a regrettable beginning to a truly miserable dining experience.

  Matt and Lane had decided to take everyone to an international buffet. Food from all over the world was served on saucer-sized plates from different stations that surrounded the room. The dining floor rotated making it easy for diners to try different dishes after each mini course. It was a perfect way to give everyone something they liked and give the Argosy’s an unusual dining experience.

  The only problem was the tension at the table. Scrupulous courtesy created such an awkward atmosphere that even sunny chatty Patience sat in silence and toyed with her food. Matt watched helpless as Lane grew more and more upset, until she finally excused herself and rushed from the table.

  Carol’s genuinely concerned expression seemed to irritate Martha even further. “Well, Lane certainly seems out of sorts.”

  Jake seemed to ignore the shocked look on his wife’s face and asked Patience if she’d like to find some fried ice cream. Martha gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head, sending Patience’s rising spirits plummeting once more. Carol allowed her fork to clatter against her plate, causing Martha to jump.

  “Is there a problem with fried ice cream? I’m afraid we’ve taught both girls to appreciate it.”

  “She hasn’t finished her supper. In our family, children eat nutritious food before they indulge in empty calories.”

  Unable to believe the scene before him, Matt waited impatiently for Lane to return until he finally excused himself to go find her. “Matt is very careful of Lane,” remarked Carol casually.

  “I see.” The tone of Martha’s voice said clearly that she heartily disagreed.

  “He takes very good care of me too. He wouldn’t let me give cards to some of the homeless people until I promised to only talk to the ones he said were safe, and he watched me the whole time I sat with the crying lady at church.”

  “The crying lady?” Martha tried to keep her voice calm.

  “Yes. She was a pro—pro—well it’s something bad and she had to stop being it, but she doesn’t know how else to make money so she was crying. I gave her Lane’s Kleenex because she didn’t have any. I hope they give her new clothes. They probably will. They’re giving her a new place to live and stuff. Her clothes were too small. This city has a lot of very poor people who cannot afford clothes that fit.”

  Carol chuckled at Patience’s description, but Martha was appalled. She caught Carol’s eye and held it for several seconds before she asked, “Am I to understand that your son took my daughter to a—a brothel?”

  “It was just church, Mommy. It wasn’t like the Brethren at all.” Patience’s attempt to help didn’t.

  “I see.”

  The strained silence continued unabated. Both Martha and Carol watched the corner of the room where Matt and Lane had disappeared. Patience, now realizing that her new favorite dessert was on the line, emptied her little plate and hurried to the Indian cuisine to find her favorite dish from the previous day.

  “What is that, Patience?” Martha had decided to simply ignore the tension and enjoy the dining experience with her daughter.

  “I don’t remember how to say it. I’m not very good with new words. I still can’t remember what my naughty girl dress is really called.”

  Carol snickered and Martha swallowed a large mouthful of half-chewed chicken. After a quick chase with her drink, Martha took a deep breath and said, “Patience, exactly what is a ‘naughty girl dress’ and why would your normally very tasteful sister buy such a trashy thing?”

  “Nautical.” Jake had heard about all of the conversation he could stand, and this went too far.

  “Nautical? What does that have to do with anything?”

  Catching her husband’s eye, Carol sat up and put a protective arm around Patience. “It’s okay, honey, we understand.” To Martha, she said, her eyes flashing, “Excuse me, but sometimes children cannot remember unfamiliar words. Lane bought Patience a very pretty little sailor dress. A nautical dress. Patience misunderstood what Lane said and called it her ‘naughty girl dress’ and, I might add, was very confused as to why such a nice dress had such an awful name. Lane corrected her, but as you can see, the wrong term stuck. It happens, you know.”

  “Well when my daughter is subjected to the company of prostitutes, it isn’t a great leap to wonder—”

  Carol stood wiping her mouth on her napkin and pushing in her chair. “Martha, would you mind if I spoke to you privately for a moment?”

  “I think that would be an excellent idea. Mr. Rushby, can I trus— ask you to watch Patience for me for a few minutes?”

  “Sure. We’ll just sit here and finish our fried rice.”

  Martha almost bumped into Carol as she rounded the corner to the exit.” Excuse me. You’re in a very—Oh!”

  “They’re so cute together. I’ve never seen Matt like that with anyone before.”

  Martha looked down at the short dumpy woman as she watched her son comfort Lane. “I’ve never seen Lane upset like that. She’s a strong girl, my Lane. She’d have to be to weather the stuff we’ve been through.”

  “My Matt’s a good man. He hasn’t been the same since he came back from your place. I knew then that I’d lost him, but I never thought he’d be ashamed of us.” Full of hurt and disappointment, Carol’s voice broke.

  “Oh, Carol, why would you think that?”

  “He— he didn’t want to introduce us. You saw him hesitate. I saw it in your eyes.”

  Martha nudged Carol onto a nearby bench and took her hands. “Now listen. I think we’ve both been silly tonight. I came here excited to meet Matt’s parents and saw that same hesitation and you know what I thought?”

  Carol shook her head looking slightly less miserable. “You wanted to meet us?”

  “Of course! You’re Matt’s parents. I was sure I’d love you. But, then I saw that and thought it meant yo
u didn’t approve of Lane, and I got on my own offended high horse—”

  “Oh!” Both women stared at each other in amused dismay. Carol fidgeted with her hair and looked miserably at Martha. “Now what do we do?”

  “Well first I think we start over. I’m Martha Argosy and I’m very pleased to meet you, Carol.” Carol’s grin reminded Martha of Matt’s. “Now I know where Matt gets his charming smile. I think I’d better run tell the kids we’re leaving. I don’t think I could sit back down at that table without being completely mortified at my behavior. Would you go get Patience and see if your husband would mind leaving? I’ll get the bill, and we can get out of here and try this again.”

  With an impulsive hug that was out of character, Carol hurried to usher her husband and Patience from the restaurant. Martha watched her go for a moment before she slipped into the alcove where Matt held Lane murmuring comforting words into her ear and tapped his shoulder. “Your mother and I have decided to quit acting like spoiled brats and go have some fun. If you guys want to join us you’d better hurry up.”

  Lane and Matt stared at the retreating figures of their respective parents. “Did I just see slash hear what I think I did?”

  Matt nodded. “Weird.”

  “Think we should follow or will we jinx it?”

  Matt nuzzled her hair with his cheek. “Hmmmm… well, I don’t know, it might be dangerous—”

  Lane bopped his arm and pulled away, but not before Matt drew her back and looked deeply into her eyes. “It’s going to be just fine you know. We’re all going to be fine.”

  ~*~*~*~

  Nothing felt fine as Patience and Martha stood in line to go through airport security. Patience sniffled and begged Matt and Lane to go with them. Martha divided her time between giving Lane safety instructions, comforting her daughter, and remembering things for Matt to tell his mother for her.

  Lane waved as they rounded the corner into the secure waiting area and sagged in relief. “I had no idea how exhausting it was to be sole responsibility for that child. Whatever made me decide to bring her?”

  As he steered them through the crowds, Matt draped his arm around her shoulders. “I’m glad you did! I miss that little girl.”

  “You can have her!”

  “You’d be pounding on our door inside a week if she wasn’t home with you and you know it.

  “Yeah… I know it. The rascal.”

  Once in Lane’s car again, Matt rocked the wheel absently as he waited for the light to change. “So, where to first?”

  “Hey, aren’t you supposed to be at work today?”

  “Boss said I could take a vacation day. That way I still don’t have three sick days in a row. He’s giving me Monday too, but then I’m back for good. I don’t have any more free hours to use for personal time after that.”

  Anxious to switch rooms before late checkout became another full day, Lane asked to return to the Towers. Once everything was transferred, Lane called for laundry service reminding Matt once more at the vast differences in their lives. It would never have occurred to him to call for laundry service; that’s why they’d invented Laundromats.

  Suddenly, Lane whirled to face him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and grinned mischievously. “So, are you going to show me life in the big city? I want to see what people do for fun, for every day, I want to see your work; I want to live your life. Whatddya say?”

  “I say that you just let me off the hook for the opera. I never do cultural stuff so I’m safe.”

  “Hey! No fair! I’ve always wanted to go, and I intend to spend a small fortune on a gorgeous dress to boot! I can’t attend alone! Do you really want me wandering around the city after dark alone?”

  Extricating himself from her arms, Matt grabbed her hand and led her down the hall to the elevator, down to the lobby, and out the front doors. “That was so low. How could you want to sit in a cramped hot theater listening to awful music just so you can dress up?”

  “Who says the music is awful?” A car crawled past them blaring hip-hop lyrics that made both of them blush. “It can’t be as bad as that, and you are out here as a willing listener!”

  “Willing? No. That is foisted on me and isn’t constant—” He stopped as another car blasting equally obnoxious noises and lyrics bounced past them breaking decibel laws and levels as it went.

  Her smirk was the epitome of smugness. “I rest my case.”

  They wandered around the streets of the city. Lane eventually learned that Matt wasn’t very familiar with the area around the Towers. Most residents of his area of town didn’t travel into the “cultural district” that held the museums, RAC, convention center, and the upscale stores. The inner city residents stuck to “their side of the tracks” with the occasional exception of those who worked in the hospitality and food industries.

  They rounded a corner and entered a section of the city that Matt had heard of, but had never seen. It was the original town square and small side streets. These were walled-in by larger buildings around it making the area seem like a lost village inside the large modern city. A fountain, overgrown with ivy, splashed merrily in the center further increasing the area’s charm.

  “Oh! It’s the Lost Village. I’ve never been here before. It’s like our version of NYC’s Greenwich Village, but much smaller and all commercial.”

  They wandered, hand-in-hand, through the bookstores, the boutiques, the toy store, and the antique stores. A few upscale resale shops caught Lane’s eye and imagination. “I wonder if any of these places have something for the opera!”

  With a groan, Matt followed her in and out of several stores as she tried on dresses and bemoaned the favorites that were too large or too small. Finally, Lane stepped from a dressing room actually wearing one of the dresses she’d picked. “Look! Isn’t it gorgeous? I love it!”

  The dress was incredible. Unlike most she’d tried on, the dress was knee-length. Princess seams flared at the hem, and a tulle petticoat peeked out from beneath the full hemline. The sleeves lay exactly on her shoulders, and to one side, a perfect rolled satin rose added the only ornamentation.

  Matt nodded appreciatively. “That’s the one. That fabric is exactly the color of your eyes. Rich chocolate.”

  “I’ll get it and have it laundered immediately! This is going to be so fun. Now all I need are shoes—”

  He grabbed her hand, did a half twirl, and pushed her toward the dressing room. “Go take that thing off before you plan another shopping expedition! I’m going next door to the toyshop. I understand places like that.” He winked at the sales clerk as he sauntered out of the store.

  “I think you’re being ridiculous. This was fun. All the neat things in a store like this. Here we are, tucked away into this little hamlet in the city. It’s like a fairy tale! I bet this—” Lane emerged from the dressing room, dress slung over one shoulder and hair tousled. She stood, her free hand on her hip, and jerked her head at the door. “Did he really leave?”

  The middle-aged woman was as elegant as a first lady in her classic suit and perfectly coiffed hair, but she giggled like a young girl at her first dance. “He left just as he said he would. He’s right though, that dress is just perfect. I have a bag—”

  The bag was perfect, small enough to tuck into Matt’s pocket during the show so she didn’t lose it, but large enough to hold a brush, Kleenex, and tube of lipstick. Several rows of sequins cut diagonally across the purse, giving it an art-deco appearance.

  By the time Lane found Matt, he was seated on a small toddler-sized wooden chair assembling a dollhouse from interlocking wooden squares. An antique reproduction toy, it was designed to allow a child to build an entire dollhouse by first assembling blocks, fitting them into rooms, and then rooms into the house. Even after Lane spoke to him, Matt remained engrossed in his project.

  “Matt!”

  “Wha— Oh. Look at this! Isn’t it the neatest thing? I think Patience needs one of these, don’t you? I didn’t buy her
a birthday present… “

  Lane saw the price of the set and wondered if she should discourage him. That thought disappeared when she saw the sets of furniture and people that coordinated with the blocks. “Oh look; people and furn— oh! You can buy roof accessories and look! A turret!”

  Before long, they had quite a collection of dolls and furniture, buildings and roofs. The storeowner packed everything carefully in a shipping box and directed them to the nearest shipping center. In a few days, Patience would be able to build her own dollhouse in Montana!

  Thirteen

  The sunrise over Rockland was magnificent. Lane stood in her room watching the sky grow pink over the distant skyline and marveling at how similar it was to watching the sunrise over the Montana mountain ranges. From the twentieth floor, it was as though she stood on the top of the nearest peak and watched the waking of the world.

  She and Matt had spent hours debating how to spend the day on Thursday, and finally, decided on a tour of the towns around the outskirts of the city. Within driving distance was the little town of Fairbury where the famous Alexa Hartfield lived, a quaint village so perfectly planned that it was like stepping into a nineteenth century English town, and a bit farther, Little Vienna. Little Vienna didn’t interest Lane, so they’d planned to tour both of the other towns and eat lunch at Lake Danube.

  Two thousand miles away, Patience awoke in her own bed, raced to see Boozer, the horses, and threw her arms around her father as he dismounted from an early morning overview of the flocks. “I love being home! Lane will miss us when she stays in Rockland.”

  “Stay in Rockland? She’s staying for a few weeks, but she’s coming home again.” Warren tugged Patience’s braid reassuringly.

  “Not now. I mean when she gets married to Matt.”

  “Do you think she’ll marry Matt?” As silly as it seemed to ask a nine-year-old little girl her opinion, Warren had learned early that his Patience understood people better than anyone he’d ever known.