Cole couldn’t resist getting one last jab in. “Did she say yes?”
“About what?” Ernie said, obviously not seeing where Cole was going.
“Marrying you!” Cole teased.
Ernie didn’t say a word and walked briskly to the kitchen. The sound of muttering and the clanging of pans came in waves as the kitchen door continued to swing to and fro.
Lottie and Cole were both standing at the register when Georgia returned from the restroom.
“We’re taking off Ernie!” Cole called through the pass-through into the kitchen.
Ernie’s big head appeared below the ticket wheel. “I hope everything was OK.”
“It was delicious. Thank you so much,” Lottie said.
“It was nice to meet you Ernie,” Georgia offered.
“Nice to meet you as well,” Ernie said, smiling at Georgia.
“Hey, I have an idea,” Ernie paused and looked at Cole, then Georgia, before plowing on. “Are you doing anything for dinner?”
“Oh Ernie, you don’t want to get stuck with Cole’s old aunt again. You must have something to do,” Lottie said coyly.
“Yes I do!” blurted Ernie. “I mean, no, I don’t have any plans and it would be nice.”
“Be at my house at seven. If you’re late we’ll leave without you,” Cole said, in mock harshness.
They started for the door and Georgia turned and caught Ernie still looking. She gave him a gentle wave of her hand and turned back in time to meet Cole opening the door. Cole walked ahead to unlock the car doors.
“That reminded me of when you were in high school. I forgot what a shameless flirt you are,” Lottie purred.
“Was,” Georgia snapped. “We were just having a nice chat. He’s a nice fella when he relaxes a bit.”
Lottie just laughed and as if her cane was a baton, gave it a twirl.
On the way to the house Cole resisted the urge to bring up Ernie, so instead he pointed out various landmarks and related stories that he pieced together from the reading of the notebooks. Lottie responded with interest, but for her it was like being reminded of a story that she heard long ago. She had no memory of her own of this little town, only the things her adoptive parents chose to tell her about where she came from. Both Lottie and Georgia commented on how peaceful it was to be in the country. Their delight at being out of the city seemed to shine from their eyes as they took in their rural surroundings.
Cole pointed across the field and brought the car almost to a stop as they slowly rolled by Ernie’s place.
“Is that it?” Lottie cried out, as she spotted the Sage farm. “Please let me out here,” she said softly, touching Cole’s arm.
“This means more than you’ll ever know, Cole,” Georgia said, when her mother closed the door.
“I’m glad,” Cole said, watching the old woman walk along the tired, old country road toward the driveway. Her hand was over her mouth and Cole wished he could read her thoughts.
Lottie stood with her cane firmly planted in front of her one hand atop the other. “Pretty as a picture,” she said, turning to Cole as the car pulled up next to her.
Cole parked the car in front of the house and walked back to join Lottie as she made her way up the drive. He could see her wince several times as the uneven ground made her way difficult as she moved toward the house.
“I wonder if it is very much different,” she asked.
“I have been told that it looks pretty much like the house you were born in,” Cole replied.
Cole offered his arm to steady his aunt but she refused it. “I have dreamed of this moment for my whole life. I’m going to make it on my own, but thank you, Cole.”
They walked silently toward the house, Lottie stopping here and there, the pain in her hip showing on her face. As she reached the front of the house she turned and walked around the right side toward the back. Using her cane to steady herself she dropped to her knees at the back corner of the house. Cole stood a good distance and watched as the old woman picked up a handful of soil and kissed it. He saw her shoulders heave several times and he realized she was crying.
“Should I go to her? Is she all right?” Cole asked as Georgia joined him at the front corner of the house.
“Leave her be. She’s home,” Georgia said, with obvious affection for her mother.
After several minutes, Lottie turned and beckoned Cole to her side. “Can you give me a hand getting up? These old bones are just not cooperating today.” Tears streaked her face and her eyes were reddened from weeping. “My mama’s in this ground,” she said, taking Cole’s arm. “She’s part of it, her ashes are here.
On that great gettin’ up morning she’s gonna be made whole again and we’ll walk hand in hand into heaven, Mama, Papa, Effie and me. Isn’t my Jesus good? Praise His name.” She squeezed Cole’s arm tightly and he saw that she was weeping.
Cole wasn’t sure what to say so he stood and watched as she let the handful of dirt slowly fall from her hand.
“These aren’t tears of sadness you know. They’re tears of promise. And I am standing on the promises of Christ my King.” Lottie brushed her hands together. “Let’s see the house!”
The grand tour took a little less than ten minutes. Georgia loved the kitchen and living room and Lottie stood for quite a while at the bedroom window looking out across the lush alfalfa at Ernie Kappas’s place. They commented on how much they loved the wood trim around the doors and windows.
In the living room Cole showed them the notebooks. Lottie opened up a volume and ran her fingers over the script. She closed her eyes and smiled at the page. Then without a word put the notebook back on the shelf.
It was nearly three o’clock when Georgia asked her mother if she wanted to take a rest before dinner. Lottie said that it would probably be a good idea.
“We can go get your car now if you want,” Cole offered.
“That would be great. I will need to freshen up and change before dinner.”
The trip to town took less than thirty minutes. When they returned, Cole made a pitcher of ice tea when Georgia declined his offer of soda, and they sat at the kitchen table nibbling at pretzels and chatting.
“I was touched when your mom gathered up the dirt next to the house,” Cole said.
“She has talked about coming back here for years. It must be hard for her parents to be gone and to not have a place where she knows they lay at rest. Funny how things affect people,” Georgia said.
“There was no service or anything for her mother. So this is her grave. I never really thought about it like that. Then the Hardins took your mom to Kansas and my grandfather took her sister and his other family and left during the Dust Bowl and never returned.”
“I feel like I got some of that dust in my eyes,” Georgia said, covering her mouth with a yawn. “Would you mind if I took a shower and rested a bit before dinner? I feel a bit road weary. Maybe that will help me snap out of it.”
“That would be fine. Let me help you get the bags upstairs.”
Shortly after six Cole heard the creaking of movement upstairs. A few minutes later Georgia came downstairs. She changed into a sleeveless peach-colored dress with a full flowing skirt. The color was a perfect complement to her skin and she looked quite lovely.
Cole served her another glass of tea and they took their same places at the table.
“Tell me something,” Cole asked. “What keeps you two in Topeka? You don’t sound like you are all that crazy about it.”
“Job, cheap rent, at least so far. We have friends, church memories.” Georgia traced circles on the tabletop.
“What?”
“I’d give the world to be anywhere else. I’m growing old and tired and when Mama’s gone, then what? I’ll get old and die.”
“Lonely will kill you. I know.” Cole looked at his cousin for a long moment before he spoke again. “Maybe I could help.”
“You got a magic wand?”
“Nope. Maybe some magic dust,” Cole sai
d smiling.
Lottie came into the kitchen and took a seat at the table. “You two look like somebody died. What you been talking about?”
“I guess you would say the future.” Cole reached over and took his aunt’s hand. “Lottie, I have an idea.”
“We can’t marry, we’re kin,” Lottie said, trying to lighten what she sensed as a serious moment.
“Lordy!” Georgia threw both hands over her mouth and laughed.
Cole smiled and began again, “Look, I would like to do something for you. I have a good life. I have been blessed in recent years. After years alone I have a family, that’s something I never dreamed I’d have. Now I have connected with you lovely ladies. Back in San Francisco I have someone very special to me who, well, let’s just say I’ve been thinking about Kelly too.” Cole glanced at Georgia and she gave him a sweet smile. “The point is I want you to have this house.”
“Sweet Jesus!” Lottie cried.
“Oh, Cole!” Georgia gasped.
“I mean it. Lottie, you are the rightful heir. You are the oldest and after all it originally belonged to your father. I’m a grandchild. I want you to have it.”
“You are the sweetest thing. But we can’t take it. It is worth a lot of money.”
“I’m a happy guy. Thinking of you living here would make me even happier. I have thought this out. I even called Kelly and we talked about it, turned it all around and looked at all the angles. It works, it’s good, it’s fair.”
“What about your daughter and her family, your grandbaby? What about their inheritance?” Lottie said softly, yet with the tone of a mother’s concern.
“Ben’s a doctor. They will have more money than anyone needs. They won’t need anything I could leave them.”
“It is a wonderful thing, Cole.” Georgia’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m ashamed. I was so nasty when you first came to our house. Please forgive me.”
“Nothing to forgive.”
“I wish I had some elegant thing to say. If I had the words I would...”
“Anybody home?” Ernie’s voice from the front windows interrupted Lottie.
“In here,” Cole called to the front of the house. From the corner of his eye Cole could see Georgia sit up straight and pat the sides of her hair.
The front door slammed and Lottie stood and moved to Cole’s chair. She bent and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “You have made this old lady very happy.”
“Then that’s all the thanks I need,” Cole said as he gently put his hand on his aunt’s cheek.
In the month Cole had known Ernie Kappas he never saw him dressed up. He was the poster boy of slovenliness; always with the shirt untucked, sweated out ball cap and a heavy five o’clock shadow no matter the time of day. In the kitchen doorway stood a man reborn.
Shaved clean and only the slightest hint of beard coloring his face, Ernie approached the table. He wore a pressed, plaid, button down collar shirt, a pair of khaki Dockers with a crease sharp enough to cut and to Cole’s amazement, an alligator belt. Gone were the dirty white tennis shoes or steel toed work boots Cole always saw him in. In their place was a brand new pair of Clark loafers. Ernie’s hair was trimmed and his sideburns squared and evened. Gently wafting its way across the room Cole could smell Old Spice aftershave.
“Anybody hungry?” Ernie said, looking directly at Georgia.
“I could eat a horse,” Lottie replied.
Georgia stood and took her purse from the back of the chair.
At the front door as he passed Cole, Ernie whispered, “Not a word, you hear?”
Cole laughed and closed the front door. “Not a word Ernie, not a word.”
“Can I ride in front? That back seat kind of bothers my hip,” Lottie said, her hand already on the front passenger door handle.
Cole glanced at Georgia. Ernie was opening her door, oblivious to Lottie’s comment. Ernie went around the car and got in the back seat. Cole shrugged and chuckled to himself.
“Where to?” Cole asked as he pulled onto the road.
“It’s a surprise,” Ernie said.
“Then I’ll be surprised if I find it,” Cole chided.
Fifty yards down the road Cole was picking up speed.
“Turn here,” Ernie said, as they approached his driveway.
“You serious?”
“Absolutely,” Ernie replied, quite pleased with his cleverness.
The dining room in Ernie’s house was awash in the warm flickering waves of candlelight. The table would have given Martha Stewart pause. A centerpiece of blue cornflowers and white daisies seemed to disappear into the hand sewn lace tablecloth. The fine blue lines of the lace were picked up in the blue and gold of the china. Salad plates sat atop the dinner plates. Matching cups and saucers completed the china place settings. Three spoons, four forks and two knives were placed on either side and the tops of the dinner plates. A glass at each place was delicately frosted with condensation from the ice water within.
Ernie directed Georgia to a seat on the wide side of the table across from the kitchen archway. Lottie was to her right and Cole the left. The fourth seat was intended for Ernie and gave him quick access to the kitchen and more importantly faced Georgia.
The frazzled man from the sandwich shop was gone and in his place was a suave maitre’d as unflappable as any in the finest restaurant. Cole marveled at the transformation and wondered where he learned the art of entertaining. Moreover, where did he kept it hidden?
“I know Cole doesn’t drink but can I get anybody anything before we eat? I have a nice dry champagne.”
“Not for me thanks,” Georgia said softly.
“I’ll have a glass,” Lottie said brightly.
“Mama?” Georgia said in surprise.
“This has been a day of joy and wonder. The Lord turned water into wine at the wedding in Canaan. Now, I don’t know if it had bubbles or not but I’m sure He won’t mind this once if I have a bit of the fruit of the vine to celebrate.”
“This is a day.” Georgia said in amazement, “I guess I’ll do the same.”
Ernie disappeared and, just as quickly, reappeared with a silver bucket containing a green bottle sitting in crushed ice. He wrapped the bottle in a crisp white linen napkin, then removed the gold foil from the bottle, and with great fanfare, popped the cork from the champagne and filled three flutes with the foaming amber.
The women giggled and Ernie proposed a toast.
“Through life’s ups and downs,
We are blessed by friends we have found.
Who would have guessed today new friends would come to town!”
“Ernie did you write that?” Georgia asked, not taking her eyes from his face.
“I’m not much of a poet I’m afraid.”
“I think it is very special.”
“The hell you...” Ernie caught himself. “Sorry ma’am.” He nodded to Lottie. “I mean thank you. I thought a special occasion called for special words.”
“They are special indeed,” Lottie said softly. “Cole, would you mind if we shared our good news with our new friend?”
“What kind of news?” Ernie ignored her question to Cole.
“Seems like a perfect setting.” Cole smiled.
“Cole has given us the house,” Georgia blurted out.
Ernie looked like he’d been hit in the stomach.” You’re going to be my neighbors?” he said in disbelief.
“That’s alright isn’t it?” Georgia said tentatively.
“I’ll be damned,” Ernie gasped, still not moving.
“I hope not,” Lottie snapped.
“I’ll plow your field for you.” Ernie’s words were like thoughts escaping.
“So that’s a yes?” Georgia said.
“Hell yes, it’s yes! This is the best news I have had in, well, ever!”
Cole sat back and took in the sight. He had new family members, Ernie had new neighbors and Cole sensed something very special for Georgia.
The dinner w
as magnificent. Ernie prepared curried cauliflower soup, a salad of exotic greens with fruit and nuts and raspberry vinaigrette, rack of lamb, sweet creamed Vidalia onions, new red potatoes out of his garden and flaming cherries jubilee for dessert with homemade vanilla bean ice cream.
Georgia stood to help clear the dishes but Ernie would not hear of it. The conversation at the table was easy and light. The four people who only days before were total strangers now chatted, teased, laughed and opened their hearts to each other like they’d known one another all their lives.
Ernie volunteered to help in the big move. Cole said he would leave all the stuff he bought in the house, provided they wanted it, to which both Lottie and Georgia agreed. They both said Cole’s things were a welcome change from what they had in Topeka.
“Well, sounds like we got a plan to get you all moved in,” Ernie began thoughtfully. “But what are you going to do once you get here?”
“I am growin’ a garden!” Lottie offered. “I got plenty of ground and in it is goin’ vegetables.
The expression in Ernie’s eyes showed that her response was not who he was looking for an answer from.
“I’ll find a job in town somewhere. A fresh start, it’s kind of exciting to think about.” Georgia replied.
“How ‘bout you come to work for me? You know food, you need a job and God knows I need some help I can count on who won’t scare off the customers.”
“Are you serious?” Georgia said, tilting her head and staring at Ernie.
“Why, you don’t think we could get along?”
“I think we could get along just fine.”
“Ten bucks an hour suit you?”
“Well, I...”
“She’ll take it. An’ you won’t regret it,” Lottie interjected.
“Mama! I can answer for myself. I would love to come to work for you Ernie.” Georgia gave him a lovely smile.
“One thing I want clear from the start though,” Ernie said firmly.
“What’s that?” Georgia said, a bit surprised by his change of tone.
“If the boss happens to ask a certain employee out on a date, there will be no claims of sexual harassment right?”
“So long as there is only one employee he’s askin’ out!”
Cole Dust Cole Page 38
