I remembered the conversation I’d had with Mike after Tory had told him I’d sold the house. “What are you thinking?” he’d asked. “Buying that dilapidated property downtown?”
Of course, I didn’t expect Mike to understand. He never understood. Once, I’d told him I’d love to live in an old stone farmhouse. He’d laughed and said he would never buy an old stone farmhouse. “I’ll pay someone to build me a new stone farmhouse that looks old.”
“It’s not the same,” I’d told him. But it was no use. He just didn’t get it.
That afternoon, Muffin followed me from room to room. I picked her up. “What do you think, girl? Like our new place?” She barked and I put her down.
Boxes were stacked everywhere and the only thing I’d accomplished since the movers had left was making the bed and setting up the bathroom. The movers had placed the big pieces of furniture exactly where I’d told them to. Now it was a matter of putting things away and decorating it like I wanted. I’d unpack as I was able, taking my time to figure out what to hang where.
I called Shonna. “I can’t believe I’m in!”
“Show me. Take me on a tour.”
“Didn’t you get the video I took during my walk-though?”
“Yes, but I want to see where you put the furniture.”
“You won’t see much because there are boxes everywhere.”
“That’s okay. I want to see anyway.”
I went from room to room narrating the tour and pointing out some of the more interesting features, like the ornamental ceiling in the living room, the large windows and exposed brick and mantels.
“You weren’t kidding about the boxes!”
I laughed.
“It looks as if there’s a fireplace in every room. And I love the high ceilings and wooden staircase. And the wainscoting.”
“Me, too. You just don’t find this kind of charm in new homes.” I walked down the back steps that led to the store from the second floor. “And this will be the boutique.” I slowly turned around in a circle.
“I love the space, but man, do you have your work cut out for you.”
“I know. I walked to the rear of the first floor. “As you can see, there’s lots of space.”
“I love those wide-plank wooden floors,” Shonna said. “And what’s that red tin sitting on the counter?”
I walked over to the tin and told her what Ed had told me about the store owner keeping a supply of lollipops for the kids. “I figured I’d clean up the tin, fill it with lollipops and do the same. Sort of an ode to the former owner.”
“I just love the nostalgia,” Shonna said. “I can’t wait to see what you do with the place.”
I got off the phone with Shonna and made some tea using my grandmother’s old teapot. Mom had given it to me when I was helping her pack. The old Griswold cast-aluminum kettle had seen better days, but it still boiled water just fine.
The older I became, the more I appreciated having family heirlooms. Jewelry, dishes – an old Griswold cast-aluminum kettle. They connected me to my family through time and space and I felt compelled to pass them on to the next generation. I wasn’t sure if David or Tory would end up with the kettle, but I knew one of them would.
I cleared a spot on the crowded table, large enough to fit my teacup and saucer. As I sat and sipped my tea, my mind took a backroad. I wandered from thought to thought, imagining my grandmother using the same kettle to make tea and sipping it from the same cup I now held. I missed my grandmother and my memories of her had become blurred with age. But I remembered her hands. They were hardworking hands, covered in sunspots and calloused from gardening. She had a lump on the middle finger of her right hand, born from holding her pencil too tight when she wrote. Her fingers were thick and fast and, when she quilted, she turned tiny stitches into beautiful works of art.
It was my grandma, Margaret, who had taught me to quilt. I’d never be the quilter she was, but I hoped Tory and David found the quilts I made them just as beautiful as if they’d come from her.
I jumped when I heard a knock on the door. I peeked out and saw a floral deliveryman holding a huge bouquet. I opened the door and he handed me the flowers, a beautiful arrangement of traditional daisies, pink roses, hot pink mini carnations and lush greens.
I thanked him and carried them inside and opened the card. They were from David.
Sorry I couldn’t be there to help. Love you bunches and bunches, David
I smiled. I always signed Tory and David’s cards Love you bunches and bunches and it warmed my heart that they had picked up on that phrasing and now signed all of their cards to me that way.
I called David to thank him. “They’re beautiful, David.”
“Did it have daisies?”
“Yes. You remembered they’re my favorite.”
“How’s the training going?”
“Great. I’d lost nine pounds the last time I checked, feel stronger and sleep better. I’m up to running four miles outside.”
“That’s great, Mom. Pretty soon you’ll be outrunning me.”
I smiled. “Well, I’m not sure about that, but I honestly haven’t ever felt better.”
“Are you and Shonna still hitting Route 66 in a few weeks?”
“Yes. Can’t wait. I figured even if I don’t have the house in order by then, I’ll work on it when I return. There was no way I wanted to cancel our road trip. I figure by the time you come home for Christmas, the house should be pretty much pulled together.”
“Uh.”
I could tell by the hesitancy in David’s voice that he was thinking something he didn’t want to say. “Uh, what?”
“Not sure I’ll be home for Christmas,” he squeaked.
“What? But you’ve never missed a Christmas at home.”
“I know, I know. But I’ve been seeing someone and you never know.”
I sighed. “Christmas is six months away. A lot can happen in that time.”
“That’s what I’m talking about, Mom. A lot can happen. Katelyn mentioned that her parents always go to Lake Tahoe for the holidays. So, if things are still going as well then as they are now, maybe I’ll go with them.”
“This is the girl you met at the gym, right? The one you mentioned when you came home for Tory’s graduation.”
“Yes. I really like her a lot, Mom.”
“Well, you can always bring her here.”
David didn’t say anything and I felt badly about giving him a hard time. “It’s okay, David. I’ll understand if you want to go to Lake Tahoe.”
I thanked David again for the beautiful arrangement and hung up the phone. Secretly I was hurting inside. I’d always known this day would come. I knew when David found a girl he was serious about, his days of spending all his holidays with me would cease. Mom had warned me about this, having lived through it with Tommy. It wasn’t that Tommy didn’t love our parents, but he always seemed to spend more time with his wife’s family than with his own. But I was thankful David had found someone. He sounded happy and I wanted both he and Tory to be happy.
I fell into bed that night, more exhausted than I realized until my head hit the pillow. When I awoke the next morning I hit the gym but I just didn’t feel like working out. I kept thinking about all of the boxes I needed to unpack and, after about a half hour, I gave up and went home. Mentally I just wasn’t into exercising and so, rather than force it, I left.
I spent the rest of Sunday unpacking. Muffin mostly watched but eventually became bored and found a spot on the sofa where she could look out the window at the street below.
I’d turned on the radio to listen to some music when a song came on I hadn’t heard in years. Just a couple of notes and I was transported to high school, when Jake and I were a couple and my biggest worry was waking up with a zit on prom day.
When I took a quick break to eat lunch, I signed in to LinkedIn. Hearing the song made me think of Jake and I wanted t
o read his profile again. I was shocked to find he’d sent me a message and then realized he must’ve received notice I’d been looking at his profile.
Hi Scarlett, I hope you’re well. I think about you often and always wondered how your life turned out. I was surprised when I saw your name pop up. I haven’t kept in touch with too many people back home. If you’re ever on the West Coast, look me up. I’d love to catch up over coffee. Best, Jake
I wasn’t sure how to respond. Should I tell him I was coming to the West Coast? About my and Shonna’s road trip? I was curious to meet his wife. What was she like, I wondered. I did some snooping online but couldn’t find a connection between him and a woman. Maybe his wife was very private.
I wrote back.
Coming to the West Coast in about a month via Route 66 with Shonna. I’m sure you remember her. We’re taking the road trip we always wanted to take when we were teens. Hope all is well with you, Scarlett
I must’ve read the note a dozen times before sending it. I didn’t want to appear overly anxious, but I hoped we’d be able to connect.
I returned to unpacking, opening a box of photos of Tory, David and Muffin. I arranged the various frames on the fireplace mantel beside a big seashell I’d found on the beach and stepped back to view. A lifetime had been captured in those photos. David and Tory as babies, toddlers, teens and young adults. I was constantly amazed by how a photo could say so much. It captured a moment in life as fleeting as a spring storm, covering us in wetness as we struggled to hold on to the moment before it passed.
By the end of the day, I’d accumulated a stack of empty boxes and carted them to the curb for trash pickup. I kind of felt guilty about giving up at the gym, but reminded myself that I had exercised all day. Unpacking was hard work!
I didn’t hear from Jake the next day or the day after that. I found myself checking my messages more often and realized how much I was looking forward to his reply.
On the third night, after working out at the gym and finishing up organizing the guest bedroom, I checked my messages and there was a reply.
Route 66, huh? That’s a great trip. My wife and I did that years ago. We definitely should meet up when you get to LA. Let me know your itinerary. Best, Jake
As I read his message I could hear his voice. I’d have to talk to Shonna and see what she thought about having coffee or drinks with Jake and his wife.
Over the next few weeks, I continued to organize the house. I changed my mind about using some items and donated them to charity instead. I needed to buy rugs for my bedroom and living room, but the brownstone was really beginning to feel like an old friend.
I even found a use for the old crib. I removed the hardware from one of the longer sides and leaned it against the wall and draped magazines over the slats. It made the perfect magazine rack. I figured I’d use the other long side to do the same in the coffee shop.
Shonna and I had talked about the trip nearly every day for the past two weeks. The night before our flights to Chicago, she called to double-check our plans.
“Do you think we need a road-trip prenup?” she asked.
“A what?”
“Road-trip prenup. Things we agree on before the trip.”
“Like what?”
“Like if you get a ticket while driving you pay for it. And no picking up drifters.”
I laughed. “Sure. And how about you have to stick to the agreed-upon playlists.”
“Do we have playlists?” Shonna asked.
“Yes. I made them.”
We laughed and agreed we would split any driving tickets and not pick up any hitchhikers. “When it came to the music, whoever was driving got to pick what they wanted to listen to.”
“Do you think Muffin knows you’re going away?” Shonna asked.
“I think she does. She hasn’t left my side all day. I hired a young co-worker I trust to housesit, so at least she won’t have to go to the kennel. How about Max?”
“He’s loving Mom being here, which is more than I can say for Roger. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”
“Ditto! I’ll text as soon as I land.”
I pulled out the list before I went to bed and traced Take a road trip with my bestie with my fingertip. I couldn’t believe, after thirty-two years, it was actually going to happen.
Chapter 20
Shonna’s plane arrived at O’Hare International Airport a couple hours before mine. We’d planned to meet at the baggage-claim area. I stopped at the restroom and headed right there after landing. As soon as I exited the escalator I saw Shonna at baggage carousel one. I waved and she rolled her luggage over and hugged me. “It’s so good to see you!”
“You, too!”
“I can’t believe we’re really doing this!”
I retrieved my luggage from the carousel and we rolled our bags toward the car rental counter. Shonna had a discount through Roger’s company and had rented a sedan. We both would’ve liked riding Route 66 in a classic car, but they were too expensive to rent, so we went for something practical.
We decided to spend the day and night in Chicago and leave the next day for Springfield, Illinois. We definitely wanted to drive the Magnificent Mile at night, and I’d bought tickets to the Willis Tower Skydeck in advance. We loaded our luggage into the trunk and I volunteered to drive, heading toward Interstate 90.
Shonna rubbed her stomach. “I’m famished.”
“It’s about a half hour to our hotel. Can you wait? I thought maybe we’d stop at Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant for lunch and then check into our hotel.” I pointed to my purse. “There’s a protein bar in my purse if that’ll hold you over.”
Shonna grabbed the bar and gobbled it down.
“You weren’t kidding about being hungry.”
Shonna sighed. “I don’t know why I have such an appetite lately.”
“Maybe you’re pregnant.” I laughed.
“Go ahead and laugh, but it’s still possible.”
“I thought Roger had a vasectomy?”
“Are you kidding? The guy won’t even trim his pubic hairs he’s so afraid of getting anything sharp near his precious penis.”
I laughed. “Don’t do that!”
“Do what?”
“Make me laugh. When I laugh too hard I pee.”
Shonna rolled her eyes. “You need to start wearing panty liners.”
“I’m not wearing diapers.”
Shonna pulled down the car visor, flipped up the mirror cover and applied lip gloss. “They aren’t diapers. They’re incontinence liners and they’re great for leaky bladders.”
“You sound like you’re talking from experience.”
“I am.” Shonna pulled up her sundress to reveal padded black-silk panties.
“You’re nuts.”
“Well, it’s better than sticking a wad of tissues down my panties, which is what I used to do until I started wearing these.”
I shook my head. “We should both get an operation to fix the leaks.”
“I’d rather we both get tattoos.”
“Seriously?”
Shonna shrugged. “Why not?”
“But it’s not on my list.”
“So, put it on your list. Part of this road trip is flying by the seat of our pants. Doing things spontaneously. I was sort of thinking getting our nipples pierced might be fun, but I figured after your breast cancer scare you wouldn’t go for that.”
I nodded. “You got that right.”
Shonna sat back in her seat. “So, what would you get a tattoo of?
“A butterfly. I’ve always loved butterflies. They’re a symbol of beauty and freedom. Busting out and making a new start.”
“Well, you’re definitely doing that.”
“What about you? What tattoo would you get?”
She pointed to the underside of her wrist. “I was sort of thinking of getting the words Carpe Diem right here. Then I could just flip ove
r my wrist and see it anytime I wanted.”
“I like that. I’d never be able to do that where I work, though. There’s a policy about having visible tattoos.”
“Really?”
“Yes. The exception would be if someone had tattoos for a religious reason, then the company accommodates the employee’s religious beliefs.”
The half-hour drive went quickly and by the time we hit downtown Chicago I was famished, too.
“Keep your eye out for it,” I said. “It should be on your right. Has an aluminum and glass storefront and a big neon sign.”
Shonna jumped in her seat. “I see it! Lou Mitchell’s. Serving the World’s Best Coffee. Crap! There’s a line.”
“How long?”
“Well, it’s out the door.”
“Must be good food then.”
We parked in a nearby lot and walked to the restaurant, admiring the retro façade. After a short wait and a few donut holes later, we walked inside. It was like stepping back in time. From the dining room’s black and white terrazzo flooring to its multisided counters and booths equipped with coat racks, the place screamed Route 66 Golden Age.
We sat in a booth and I scanned the room. “Whenever I go to a place that’s been around for a while, I always think of those who’ve been here before.” I patted the table. “Who sat at this table? What were their dreams? Were they locals or travelers like us?”
A middle-aged waiter dressed in a black apron and pants and white shirt arrived with a pot of hot coffee and filled our cups. “Welcome to Lou’s. What can I get you?”
“I’ll have the Olive Burger Special.”
She smiled. “Good choice.”
I love green pimento olives and it came with a pile on top. I was going to skip the bread to cut down on the calories, but decided to have a few bites. I couldn’t pass up the homemade roll.
A Year of Second Chances Page 13
