Avalee's Gift

by Linda Apple

  Italy is as wonderful as I thought it would be. It is a wonderland of history, architecture, art, delicious food, opulent gardens, and landscapes. Every place we have visited has amazing statues and buildings. My mind is numb from all the beauty. I love every city and village we have visited, especially Rome. I guess the villa we decide to purchase will determine which town where we will live. The Italian people are delightful and animated. They also drive like maniacs in the narrow streets, especially those on scooters, but never seem to have accidents. Oh, I could live here so easily if it were not for my friends in Moonlight. I miss you all so much. As soon as we find a place, I want you all to come. We hope to have a villa secured before your wedding so you can come here for your honeymoon. That is, if you want to come here. How about your first night on our jet? Okay, I know that is a bribe, and I’m the first to admit it!

  How is Cladie Mae? I miss her so much. She has to come with you. Not on your honeymoon, of course, but when all you girls come. We will eat, drink, and dance our way across the country. Talk to Ty, ok? And if he is hesitant, just mention the ‘mile high club’ membership!

  I love you. Write soon!

  Jema

  A smile relaxed on my face. I missed that dear girl. Wouldn’t it be a kick to have a Martini Monday in Italy? Ty and I hadn’t discussed honeymoon plans, well, at least where to have it. I liked Jema’s suggestion, and I knew Ty didn’t care where the room was just as long as there was a bed.

  Someone knocked on the door. I closed my laptop and walked over to answer it. The second I saw Ty’s face I knew something was wrong. I held my arms out and he walked into them burying his face in my hair.

  “Baby, what’s wrong?”

  He didn’t say anything. He just held me. Finally he murmured, “Same old thing. Same old ghost.”

  I pulled back and held his gaze. It was still so unbelievable to me that this man loved me. I put my arms around his neck and drew his lips to mine. I wanted to kiss away the sadness shadowing his gentle brown eyes.

  He nuzzled my ear. “Mmm, Miss soon-to-be Mrs. That certainly helps.” He pulled me in for another kiss, which I gladly obliged. One kiss promised another. In this case, time was our chaperone.

  “Baby, we gotta get going.”

  “One more.” His body felt hot against mine.

  “Hon, it is after three.” He slipped his hand down to the small of my back and pressed me closer to him. My only resistance was in my words. “Baby, we have to go.”

  He grinned down at me. “Must you always be so punctual?”

  “It’s a curse.” I drew in a deep breath to calm all the sensations exploding in my body. “Want something to drink on the way? Tea?”

  “Yeah, extra ice.” He followed me to the kitchen. “Where’s Miss Cladie?”

  “In her sitting room.” I grabbed two plastic cups with lids from the cabinet.

  “Think she’d mind if I stuck my head in to say hi?”

  “No, go ahead. I’ll be a minute or two here.”

  Moments later he strolled into the kitchen. “She was napping, but she woke up when I walked in.” He took the tea and added, “She was pretty out of it. Maybe she’s just groggy from her nap.”

  “I’d better check on her before we leave.” When I peeked in, she was asleep again. Momma never slept this much. Maybe she needed Vitamin B shots? I decided to ask the pharmacist at the Piggly Wiggly sooner than later. Once Ty and I were on the road I asked, “So, what was wrong with you when you came to the house?”

  “My parents.” He paused. “Actually, my mother.”

  “I kinda figured. What was her deal this time?”

  “I stopped by their house to see if they had anything they wanted to send to the kids. They usually do. Mother didn’t waste any time telling me she’d been doing some research and how Oxford had wonderful programs for people my age and how it wasn’t too late to make something of myself. Then she went on and on about how good it would be for my children if I lived closer to them.”

  “She just won’t give up will she?” Did that woman actually think I wouldn’t move to Oxford with him?

  “Nope.” Ty spoke in a high voice mimicking his mother’s. “Ty, dear, photography is a luvly hobby, I’m sure. And ah’ll admit you are pretty good at it.”

  A slow burn ignited in my chest. “Big of her.”

  “Oh wait, I’m not finished.” He continued in his mother’s voice, “But taking pictures isn’t much of a career like being a doctor or a lawyer. You don’t want to live hand to mouth for the rest of your life do you?” And now the kicker. “Why don’t you invite Gracie and that professor husband of hers to supper with Skye and Glen? Ah’m sure he’d have some good suggestions.” Ty took his eyes off the road for a sec and glanced at me. “Can you believe that? Ask my ex-wife and her husband to eat with us?”

  “What did you say to that?”

  “I flatly refused. Then, of course, she insisted on knowing why. I told her you were going and it would be too awkward.

  Now we were getting to the real reason for his mood when he came over. “I’ll bet it hit the fan then.”

  He blew out. “Did it ever.”

  “What did she say?” Part of me wanted to know and part of me didn’t. The part that wanted to know won out.

  Ty’s face flushed. “I’m not repeating it. More of the same she said at Christmas. Let’s just leave it at that.”

  “Will she ever accept me?” Why did I care so much?

  “Baby, it isn’t you. It’s Marc. You are a convenient target for her to express her pain and anger. The sad thing is the bitterness she hurls does not defeat the Goliath of bitterness in her life. It just wears her out and isolates her from her son who is still alive.”

  As we drove, I laid my head back on the seat. What was it going to take for his mother to respect him? He deserved it and so much more.

  ****

  We arrived early to Oxford. Ty pulled into a parking space on the square in front of Bouré, one of my favorite restaurants in the entire state. He jumped out and strode around to open my door. Always the gentleman.

  “Thank you, kind sir.”

  “Anything for my lady.” He glanced at his watch. “We’re a little early. How about a beer while we wait?”

  “Sounds good.” I looked up toward the outdoor seating on the second floor terrace. “Too bad it’s so chilly. I love sitting outside and watching people on the square.”

  “Oh, I’d keep you warm.” He pumped his eyebrows up and down.

  “Oh, I’m sure the kids would love that.” I grabbed his hand. “It’s cold. Let’s get inside.”

  The cozy dark wood interior made me forget any disappointment I might have had for not getting to sit on the terrace. Our waitress pranced to our table. “Welcome to Bouré, what can I bring you to drink?”

  “Two Dos Equis, amber. And bring us a basket of fried crawfish tails.”

  “Got it. Two beers and fried mudbugs coming up.”

  While we waited, we talked over more wedding plans. “What about music? Anything you prefer?

  The waitress brought our beers and tails. “Can I get you anything thing else?” She hesitated in front of Ty and watched him through sultry eyes.

  “Not at the moment.” Was it in my imagination or was our waitress giving my fiancé the once over? I cleared my throat. “But we will have two others join us. We’ll order when they arrive.”

  “All right then, I’ll check on y’all later.” With one last lingering look, she walked off. I supposed this was something I’d have to get used to.

  Ty took a long drink of his beer. “Back to what we were talking about. “I like easy jazz, blues.” He grabbed a crawfish and dipped it into the sweet chili sauce. “Oh, man, I love these.”

  Not being a condiment-type person, I popped one in my mouth and savored the sweet meat mingled with the saltiness of the crunchy batter. I reached for another and noticed Ty’s kids walking toward us.

  “Hey, there.” I
wagged a crawdad at Glen. “Still hot and crispy.”

  He rubbed his hands together and sat next to me. “I could eat that entire basket.”

  Skye slid next to her dad. “Just one basket? Try two or three.”

  “I’d better order more.” Ty looked around and hailed our waitress. She sauntered over and locked eyes with Glen. By the expression on her face, Ty was history. “Hi there, handsome.”

  “Hey, Ruthie.”

  Ruthie tapped her pencil on her chin. “I’m guessing you’ll have your own basket of mudbugs and a Pabst?”

  “Right as always.”

  She turned her gaze on Skye. “What would you like?”

  “Diet coke and black-eyed pea hummus.”

  “Right. BRB.”

  Skye frowned at Glen. “What? You have a waitress in every restaurant in the town?”

  Ty poked another tail in his mouth. “At least he won’t go hungry. Say? What’s BRB”

  Glen reached over and grabbed a few for himself. “Be right back. And yes, sis, I do. Like Dad said, I’m not going hungry.”

  Skye rolled her eyes then leaned over the table. “So, Avalee, have you heard from him?”

  “Geeze, sis. Give it a rest.” Glen turned to me. “It’s good to see you, Avalee.” He reached across the table and chuffed his dad on the arm. “Good to see you, too, old man.”

  Skye colored. “I’m sorry. I just get so wound up.”

  “Here y’all are.” Ruthie served the drinks and appetizers. “Are you ready to order yet?”

  Ty looked around. “I know what I want. How about y’all?”

  We all nodded our heads. After we gave our orders, the conversation eased into a comfortable discussion about school, lively banters about current love interests. While we ate, I caught Skye up on Nathan. Glen told us about his gig in a local dive, and he asked Ty if he’d come and shoot some pictures for his portfolio. I felt at ease and somehow connected with both of Ty’s kids. I didn’t want the evening to end. They didn’t either, so even though we were just south of being miserable from our meals, we ordered bananas foster bread pudding.

  “Okay.” Skye held her hand up. “Question. Have any of you read O Henry’s The Gift of the Magi?”

  “Yep.” Ty spooned up his pudding. “But I liked the movie better.”

  “Oh, Dad.” She looked at me. “Have you read it?”

  “Yes, it’s been years though. It was one of my favorite stories at Christmas. Why do you ask?”

  “My lit teacher wants us to examine how the principle of self-sacrifice in this story is practiced in society today and give examples. I feel like I have a limited scope on this and wondered, with all your travels and all, if you’d meet up with me so we could discuss it?”

  “I’d like that. Sorta like a book club, only with a short story?”

  “Yeah, something like that.” She turned to Ty. “Dad, mind if I come and stay with you next week?”

  “Sure, my house needs cleaning.”

  Glen tore his attention away from his dessert. “Good luck with that.”

  “Oh, shut up, lover boy, or I’ll tell Ruthie about Regina at the Pizza Factory.”

  He held his hands up. “Okay, okay. Don’t do that, or I’ll starve.” He nudged Ty. “I’ll come, too. I want to see Big Momma.”

  “She’ll be thrilled.” And I knew she would, too. “I’ll tell her to set three extra places at the table.”

  When we all stood to leave, I put my arm around Skye’s shoulder. “I’ve been meaning to ask, would you be one of my bridesmaids at the wedding?”

  “Sure, as long as the dress you choose for me to wear isn’t a candidate for The Ugliest Bridesmaid Dress on a Pinterest board.”

  “Deal.”

  We all waddled out of Bouré, miserably contented and said our goodbyes. Ty and I listened to Nat King Cole on the way home. Neither of us felt the need to talk, which was just as well. Dreams and thoughts of our wedding day swirled in my mind, and I didn’t want them interrupted.

  ****

  Morning’s light glowed against the sheers on my window. Something wasn’t right. It was too quiet. No coffee aromas drifting up the stairs. I sat up with a start. Momma.

  I threw the covers back, pushed off the bed, and shot to her room across the hall. With my heart pounding, I eased her door open and peeked in. Light filtered in through her curtains just enough for me to see the rise and fall of the nine-patch quilt covering her. She was still asleep? I couldn’t remember a time she ever slept past five in the morning, unless she was sick. Hot tears of relief filled my eyes. I pulled the door closed and plodded to the kitchen. I needed coffee.

  While I filled the pot, all kinds of scenarios tormented me. Finding her paralyzed, finding her on the floor with a broken hip. Finding her dead. I slammed my hand on the counter. This couldn’t go on. I had to do something.

  While the coffee brewed, I hurried upstairs and dressed. Hugh, our pharmacist for as long as I could remember, had moved to Piggly Wiggly when they added a pharmacy to their store. I’d talk to him first. And, if need be, then Doctor Derrick.

  The morning was brisk, but not too cold. I decided to walk the four blocks and clear my head. I poured coffee in a travel mug and jotted a note for Mom and left. The sidewalk along Washington Avenue was treacherous to say the least. After years of people walking on it, trikes and bikes, racing up and down, plus tree roots growing beneath, it was cracked and uneven. Still, many memories of my childhood were forged on this path of concrete.

  Piggly Wiggly came into view and I smiled at the friendly pig in the red-and-white striped shirt waving at me from the roof. I needed that bit of levity. In the back of the store, Hugh stood behind the pharmacy window concentrating on something. I hated to disturb him, but as I approached, he glanced at me over his glasses and waved.

  While pushing his spectacles up his nose, he welcomed me with a gentle smile. “Good morning, Avalee. You’re up and out early this fine morning.”

  “Morning, Hugh.”

  “How can I help you today?”

  “Well, I need some advice. Momma seems off lately. I’ve seen a dramatic change in the past month. When I returned to Moonlight, she was a bundle of energy. Now she is run down and lethargic. She’s hungry all the time and drinks water by the gallons. I’m getting worried.”

  Hugh nodded. “Seems she is up to her old tricks again.”

  “Tricks?”

  “Yeah, not checking her glucose levels and shooting insulin anytime she eats sugar instead of staying on a regular schedule and watching her diet.”

  What was he talking about? “I’m not following you, Hugh.”

  “Her diabetes. She did this last spring. Both Doctor Derrick and I have had long talks with her. But, stubborn woman that she is, she won’t listen. She insisted it was too much trouble to alter her diet. But when she got word you were coming that little lady straightened right up. She checked her levels religiously and got on a regular insulin schedule.” He scratched his head and frowned. “Frankly, I’m surprised she’s gone back to her old ways, seeing how much better she felt and all.”

  “Wait.” I put my hand up and closed my eyes. “Are you saying my mother is diabetic?”

  He stared at me through his large black frame glasses. “Didn’t you know?”

  “No. I had no idea. How long has it been since she was diagnosed?”

  “It’s been about ten years now.”

  “Ten years?” How could I have not known? The voice of guilt answered me, “Because you haven’t been there for her.” Well, I’m here now and it is time for a come-to-Jesus meeting with my mother. I nodded. “Thanks, Hugh. I’ll take care of this.”

  “I hope you do. She’s asking for trouble one of these days.”

  For the first time in months, I jogged. All four blocks. By the time I reached the kitchen door, my heart thundered against my chest. Momma sat at the table reading the paper. I strode through the doorway and snatched the paper from her hands. “Why
didn’t you tell me?”

  Her eyebrows arched like startled cats. “Tell you what?”

  “That you are diabetic.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest and sat back. “Who told you?”

  “Hugh. He thought I knew.”

  “Well, I swaney! He’s as bad as an old biddy for gossiping.”

  “Mother.” I tried to moderate my voice, but it was a struggle. “You are killing yourself. He said both he and Doctor Derrick have warned you.”

  “Oh pssh.” She dismissed my concern with her hand. “Both of those old fogies need to retire.” She pointed her finger at me. “I know my body. I know when my sugar goes up, and I take care of it. Bessie Clark is diabetic, and I’m in a lot better shape than she is and she’s religious about checking her sugar levels.”

  “Mother, you can’t compare yourself to others to determine how you treat your condition. That’s crazy thinking.”

  Momma stood. “Now see here, Avalee. I don’t want to hear another word about this. I can take care of myself. I’ve done it for ten years. You hear me?”

  I was taken aback by her aggressiveness. “Mother…?”

  “No.” She shoved her palm in front of her as if she were stopping traffic. “This conversation is finished.” With that, she turned on her heel and left the room.

  My sweet little momma had just tied my hands. She had willingly put herself in a dangerous position and refused to acknowledge it. Well, we will see about that. She may think she is sacking up kittens, but she just found herself a wildcat.

  Chapter Fourteen

  What a difference a phone call can make.

  ~Tyler Jackson

  Ty tried to concentrate on the best angle to shoot the new façade of Moonlight’s Chamber of Commerce, but someone kept blowing up his phone making it impossible to focus. “Geez people, some guys have to work for a living.”

  He reached in his pocket and checked the screen. Three calls from Scott. Six from Avalee? The hairs on his arms pricked. What had happened? Something bad. The phone rang again. It was Scott.

  “Hello? Scott? What’s wrong? What’s happened?”

  “Well, thank God you finally decided to answer.”