For Keeps (Aggie's Inheritance)

by Havig, Chautona

Tina’s words never registered. Aggie was transfixed as she pulled the last layer of tissue paper away and gasped, “Oh! Oh, Luke!”

  Everyone crowded around her and watched as she traced the hand carved letters in the wood. “What does it say, Aunt Aggie?” Lorna’s little voice interrupted the collective appreciative silence.

  “It says, ‘Welcome. He settles the barren woman in her home and makes her the joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord. Psalm 113:9.’ Then it says Milliken-Stuart.”

  “What is a milkin’ Stuart? We’re just regular ones. We don’t have cows.”

  “Aunt Aggie’s last name isn’t Stuart, though, Lorna. Her last name is Milliken.”

  “I think it should be Stuart. She’s our Auntie Mom now, so we should all be Stuarts.”

  Laird tried again. “Aunt Aggie can’t change her last name until she gets married. Then her last name will be the same as her husband’s last name.”

  “I think it should be ours.” A stubbornness, unfamiliar in Lorna, crept over the child’s features.

  “I think,” Aggie began cautiously, “this is something we should discuss some other time. Right now, I want to admire all of my lovely gifts at home. Besides, we need Luke to hang this, and he can’t do that here.”

  “I’m riding next to Aunt Aggie!”

  Kenzie’s claim almost gained Aggie’s acquiescence, but a brief flash of disappointment in Luke’s eyes prompted Aggie to change her mind. “I would, sweetie, I would, but I can’t. You see, Luke brought me here and bought me lunch. It’s rude to go somewhere with a friend and leave with someone else. I’ll see you at home, and we can sit together on the settee and watch as Luke hangs the sign for me.”

  They were pulling out of the parking lot, before Luke seemed to realize what she’d said. “Are you going to hang the sign outside?”

  “Yep. Right next to the front door over the doorbell. I want it to be a reminder to everyone who comes in just how blessed I am. Maybe that way, I won’t get so many pitying looks.”

  “Pity?”

  “People feel sorry for me. I’m just a poor overburdened, inexperienced ninny of a girl who is saddled with too much responsibility. Normal people have half the number of children or less, and most have husbands. I was ‘forced’ by circumstance to have to take on more than anyone should have to handle… You know the drill. That word joyful, the way you put it larger than the rest of the words and in a different font all together. That was genius. It really is a perfect reminder. By the doorbell, they’ll have to see it.”

  “It was going to be a housewarming gift, but I didn’t finish it in time. The trees took longer than I expected.”

  “How did you do that?” Her fingertips traced the finely detailed trees on either side of the welcome and verse.

  “A wood burning tool. I ruined the first one. Then I got smart and burned first and carved last.”

  She laid a hand on his upper arm. “Did I thank you? I don’t think I did. It’s beautiful. I don’t think I’ve ever received a nicer gift.”

  “It was my pleasure, Mibs. Truly.”

  “I still haven’t discovered why you call me Mibs.”

  Luke’s laughter filled the cab. “You’re over-thinking it. It’s really so simple.” Nearly passing the turn off, Luke jerked the wheel, throwing his hand in front of her instinctively. “I think it fits you just perfectly.”

  Aggie says: Libby? Ohhhhhhhhh Liiiiiibbbyyyyyyy

  Libby says: Mom had to run over to Corinne’s. Rodney hit his head and then started vomiting, so she’s going to help Corinne decide whether to go in or not.

  Aggie says: Oh, no! I’ll be praying. I’m surprised we haven’t had more accidents with the children.

  Libby says: No, you are just a self-sacrificing “auntie mommy” and take the hits yourself.

  Aggie says: Tee hee. Wasn’t that adorable?

  Libby says: Yup. Almost as adorable as a little pantomime I saw once where someone called herself “Aggie Milly-Mommie.”

  Aggie says: Ugh. Yeah. Not one of my more mature moments.

  Libby says: Maybe not, but it made me smile.

  Aggie says: Well, I aim to please.

  Libby says: How’d your date go with William?

  Aggie says: He had to postpone ‘til tomorrow. He got called in to cover for Megan. Her father had a heart attack.

  Libby says: I’ll be praying for both of them.

  Aggie says: It is weird reading “Libby says” when Luke is doing all the “talking.”

  Luke says: Is that better?

  Aggie says: Yep. You didn’t have to do it, though. I shouldn’t keep you. I just wanted to thank your mom for the curtains and the cake.

  Luke says: If I recall correctly, and I do, you did.

  Aggie says: Well, I wanted to thank her again. I guess, instead, I’ll have to thank you again for my plaque. It’s just beautiful. I keep seeing Tavish out there running his fingers over the wood.

  Luke says: How would you feel about him playing around with a wood burning pen?

  Aggie says: Hmm… I don’t know. That is so out of my element.

  Luke says: It was just a thought.

  Aggie says: If he was your son, would you let him do that?

  Luke says: I had a whole kit at his age. All my fingers are present and accounted for, and I never burned down the house…

  Aggie says: Will you show him how to use it and take care of it so he doesn’t destroy the house or his hands?

  Luke says: Definitely.

  Aggie says: Well then, I say let’s go for it. Where do I get one?

  Luke says: I have a spare at home. I’ll give him mine. He can work on trim scraps and stuff for a while until he decides if he likes it. Then we can buy him plaques and such to work on.

  Aggie says: Thanks. You don’t know how much it means to me that you take an interest in the boys. I don’t know anything about being a boy.

  Luke says: Well, I’d say that’s a common problem for all mothers.

  Aggie says: Yeah, but most mothers have fathers around to make up the slack. I have to rely on you and Zeke and William for that.

  Luke says: And all of us are happy to do it. Chad wanted to take Laird and Tavish fishing over at Willow’s sometime too.

  Aggie says: Fishing as in worms, hooks, and flies? Hey, how do they capture those flies?

  Luke says: Haven’t you ever seen a picture of a hook with feathers and string and stuff tied to it?

  Aggie says: Yeah, tied flies… oh! They actually USE those? I thought it was jut a hobby for looks. I didn’t realize fish would fall for something so inedible.

  Luke says: Didn’t you take biology? Have you seen the brains on fish? Not much there, Mibs.

  Aggie says: Just a minute. I want to do something.

  Luke says: ‘K

  Mibs says: How’s that?

  Luke says: LOL. I like it.

  Mibs says: Good, I think I’ll keep it. Maybe my mom will figure it out.

  Luke says: I’m sorry we didn’t get that room next to the mudroom finished for them. I keep forgetting it’s there.

  Mibs says: That’s ok. We can do it after my room. It’s awfully small now that we expanded the mudroom. It’ll barely fit a bed and a chest of drawers.

  Luke says: I wouldn’t put drawers in there. They’ll just need the closet and we can add some shelves in it for their things.

  Mibs says: Do you think we could find a comfortable futon or sofa bed? It’d take up less room during the day and give Mom a quiet place to go rest or read a book alone with just one child at a time.

  Luke says: I’ll ask Mom. She knows about that stuff. The good thing about that is that most of those are smaller than a queen-sized bed, so you could put an end table in there for a glass of water, glasses, and things like that.

  Mibs says: If the closet wasn’t there, the room would be so much bigger, but then we’d have to put a piece of furniture in there, so that wouldn’t work.

  Luke says: Well, actually, you
know, there is enough room in the mudroom in that one bank of cabinets to hang a rod and remove the lower shelves. It’s close enough not to be a pain for them.

  Mibs says: You’re right. That’s a great idea! Can we do it?

  Luke says: Just as soon as your room is done.

  Mibs says: I wonder if we shouldn’t do it first, so Mom and Dad know they can come back sooner. If you were working on it before they left…

  Luke says: They’d worry that you were putting too much before you and neglecting yourself. Just talk it up when we’re working on it or get your mom’s input on colors or something. That’ll let them know that they’re important without making them feel guilty for taking away from work on your space.

  Mibs says: You’re right. Again. You’re making a very bad habit of that.

  Luke says: I’ll put being wrong more often on my “to do” list.

  Mibs says: You’re so accommodating. Thank you.

  Luke says: Anytime.

  Mibs says: Uh oh. I think Kenzie is starting another nightmare. I better go.

  Luke says: Oh, I didn’t know she did that. I’ll be praying for her.

  Mibs says: Maybe not. Must have been a cat.

  Luke says: Maybe your cat. So, does she have many nightmares?

  Mibs says: Every now and then. Some kid at church gave her a very detailed description of what probably happened in her parents’ accident, and now she has these nightmares every now and then.

  Luke says: I’d like to give that kid a piece of my mind. Who does something that cruel?

  Mibs says: Haven’t you noticed how horribly cruel children can be?

  Luke says: I suppose. That poor little girl. Have you ever asked her exactly what he said?

  Mibs says: No, I was afraid it’d reinforce it and make things worse.

  Luke says: Or, maybe it’d be so out there that you could tell her it isn’t true. Kids also exaggerate. For all you know, this kid told her that their heads were cut off or something equally revolting.

  Mibs says: I hadn’t thought of that. You have a point. Maybe I’ll do it.

  Mibs says: Nope, I was right. She’s starting up. Gotta go. Bye.

  Luke says: Bye. Praying…

  Fizzled Dates

  Chapter 6

  Sunday, August 10th

  Frustration built as William drove Aggie home from their date. Though she’d enjoyed the delicious dinner and the conversation had been interesting, there had also been an awkwardness and formality that she found miserable. With each block that whizzed past, she became more upset and agitated. A glance at William showed her that he was oblivious to the turmoil whirling in her mind which, irrationally, irritated her further.

  As he pulled up to her door, Aggie nearly jumped from the car before he could turn off the engine. “Thanks for dinner. It was delicious. Don’t bother to ask me out again, though. I’m determined to remain a happy and single mommy of eight. Forever.” She smiled at him as she pushed the door shut. A glance at one of the upstairs windows showed Vannie watching them. She turned back to William once more. “Thank you again, William. Goodnight.”

  The bewildered look on William’s face troubled her. In his mind, everything had probably been just fine. They’d gone to eat, had a nice conversation, driven past the lake to see the lights of the houses reflecting on the water, and then come home. If he had kissed her, it would have been the perfect romantic date, but she felt like a fraud. The thought of being kissed made her shudder. It wasn’t that William was repulsive; he most certainly wasn’t. However, the idea of something so intimate, with anyone, felt revolting.

  Inside the house, she picked up the phone and dialed his home phone. Once the machine picked up, she spoke. “Officer Markenson, this is Aggie Milliken at 101 Last Street. I would like to report a domestic disturbance.” She thought for a moment before continuing. “It appears that the lady of the house was just insufferably rude to her most dashing and gracious date tonight, and she would like to apologize in person. She will arrange for her handyman to watch the children and will be waiting at Espresso Yourself at eight o’clock tomorrow morning. She will understand if you choose to decline her invitation.”

  Her thumb hovered over the buttons on her phone. This was a call she dreaded making. If she asked his help, she knew she’d need to explain. Well, she felt obligated to explain even if it wasn’t technically necessary. With a deep sigh, she punched the familiar numbers and waited, but to her disappointment, his voice mail picked up. It seemed like life was growing more complicated every second. If Luke would just come early the next morning, she could go and try to explain her irrational behavior to William over a cup of coffee. If only it was that simple.

  The beep came, but she left no message. Instead, she clicked off the phone and flipped up her laptop. Maybe he’d be online. Even Iris or Libby would work. She glanced at the couch and smiled at a snoozing Mrs. Dyke. The dear old woman needed to go home.

  “Mrs. Dyke?” Aggie shook the woman’s arm gently. “I’m home. Would you like me to walk you home?”

  “I’ll do it, Aunt Aggie.” Vannie stood at the bottom of the stairs with a hopeful smile on her face.

  Their neighbor fought to open her eyes and pulled herself to her feet. “That’d be very thoughtful of you, Vannie.” To Aggie she added, “You have a gem of a girl here. I don’t think I was really necessary tonight.”

  “Of course, you were, Mrs. Dyke. You made Cari go to bed when she didn’t want to listen to me, and you stopped Kenzie from putting the kitty in the microwave to dry him off.”

  All the way out the door and down the steps, Aggie listened as Vannie chattered about the fun she’d had with the elderly woman. To listen to her talk, Aggie would have assumed Vannie had the time of her life watching Mrs. Dyke play with the kitten, rock Ian, and sing Lawrence Welk songs to the little guys from the hallway.

  Luke popped up on the messenger just as Vannie returned, so Aggie typed a quick, “I need to talk to you, bbiab,” meaning be back in a bit, and turned to her niece.

  “Thanks for helping with the children.”

  “She really did a lot more than she said.”

  Aggie followed her to the stairs, giving the girl a hug. “Thanks anyway.” She waited for Vannie to go back upstairs, and then returned to the kitchen. Just as she started to grab the laptop and carry it to her favorite spot on the couch, she heard the shuffle of feet on the hardwood floor. Vannie stood in the kitchen doorway, her red hair curling into tight ringlets, and hanging down around her shoulders. “You know, “You could pass for Anne Shirley wearing that gown with your hair like that.”

  “Did she have frizzy hair or was it just red?”

  “Who knows? I just think it’s beautiful.” Aggie sighed. “So, do you need something?”

  “You looked upset when you came home. Is everything ok?”

  She stifled another sigh, slid her laptop back onto the counter, and pulled two bowls from the cupboard. In the freezer, she found Rocky Road and Mint Chip ice cream. “Which one?”

  “Rocky Road.”

  With heaping bowls of ice cream in each hand, Aggie led the way to the living room couch, and passed one to Vannie. “Eat up.”

  “Ice cream this late? What would grandmother say?”

  It took every ounce of self-control, but she did manage not to say, “Hopefully something horrible.” Instead, she shrugged. “I guess that’s why Allie and Doug asked me to take care of you guys. They knew I’d know when it was best to sleep and when you need ice cream to sweeten your dreams.”

  “What’s wrong, Aunt Aggie? Didn’t you have fun with William?” The girl’s disappointment was evident from the sad eyes to the droopy lips that should have been enjoying the ice cream.

  “Nothing is really wrong, sweetie. I just learned tonight that I don’t ever want to go on another date again.”

  Perplexed, Vannie asked the expected questions. “Don’t you like Mr. Markenson? Didn’t you have fun? I thought that’s why people we
nt on dates--to have fun.”

  “Well,” Aggie began, praying for wisdom in how to explain her new thoughts to her niece. “Yes, some people do go on dates to have fun. Others do it as a way to get to know someone they think might be a good candidate for marriage, and others do it because that’s what they think you’re supposed to do when you get to be a certain age.” She shrugged. “I think that’s the only reason I went tonight, and it’s just not a very good one.”

  “You don’t like Mr. Markenson then.” It wasn’t a question.

  “No, actually, I think he’s a very interesting and kind man. I like him quite a lot, actually.”

  “So why not go because you want to get to know him better? Why isn’t he a good choice for marriage?”

  “I don’t know that he isn’t. I just know that this way of determining that isn’t going to work for me. It was so--” Aggie searched for the right word. “Artificial.”

  After another bite of ice cream, Vannie set her bowl on the coffee table, pulled her legs up against her chest, and rested her head on her knees. “What is artificial about going out to dinner with a nice man? Doesn’t everyone have to eat? You’ve had dinner with him here…”

  As she thought about how to respond, Aggie grabbed their bowls, carried them to the kitchen, and then returned with an idea. “Ok, let me try to explain it like this. Tonight we went out to eat, right?” Vannie nodded. “Well, when William picked me up, he was wearing his best casual clothes, freshly shaved and showered, and this time,” she winked, “he had on his best manners too.”

  “He told me he was an ‘insufferable bore’ on your other date.”

  “That about sums it up. It doesn’t sound like him though.”

  The girl giggled as she pushed her hair from her face. “I was reading one of those old books that Mommy collected and asked what someone would have to do today to be one. He said, ‘Take a woman out to dinner and make the meal miserable because you’re embarrassed at what someone else did.”

  “Well, I want to be gracious and say it was understandable, but frankly, it wasn’t. I was very upset that he took it all out on me.” Forcing the memory from her mind, Aggie redirected her thoughts to the example she wanted to share. “Anyway, I wore my favorite dress, a little perfume, and made sure I looked my absolute best.”