by Joyce Magnin
Harriet started the car. “I’ll have to park and go into the terminal.” Even though Harriet knew they would never tell her if Martha was on the flight or not, she could at least look around. Maybe Martha was lost. By why wouldn’t she call?
Then she thought about Wyatt, Martha’s son. She had his number. Surely he took her to the airport. She tapped his number. Nothing. No answer. Just a message saying the number was not in service.
“This is getting ridiculous.”
She drove to one of the short-term lots, parked the car, and then headed into Terminal A. She wished she had left her tote bag in the car as she wandered through a sea of people, not knowing where she was going. She wanted to call out, “Martha,” but didn’t. She headed straight for baggage claim, hoping Martha was still waiting for her bags. No Martha. Just a group of Boy Scouts and other miscellaneous people.
Next she went to the first official looking person she saw, and there were plenty to choose from. But she thought the tall woman standing near one of the monitor stations looked kind.
“Excuse me,” Harriet said. “I hope you can help me. My friend Martha was supposed to get off that plane over there, flight 1060, and I can’t find her, and she doesn’t answer her phone. I’m really worried.”
“Did you try to call her? Maybe she missed her flight.”
“I just said I tried. She doesn’t answer.”
“What about family?”
“I tried. No one is there.”
“Let’s go to the security office,” the woman said. “I don’t know what they can do, but maybe we can figure something out. Otherwise, you’ll just have to wait to hear from her.”
A few minutes later, Harriet entered the office and there, sitting like a lost child, was Martha. A large purple tote bag at her feet and one large, black suitcase were nearby.
“Martha!” Harriet cried. “Is that you?”
Martha stood. “Oh Harriet, I was beginning to think you’d never come.”
“What happened? I was so worried.”
Martha puckered her lips. And then she said, “I am so embarrassed. I lost my phone. I mean, I didn’t lose it, not exactly. Well, I was at Midway Airport, you know we had to make a stop to change planes, and I had to go to the bathroom, and I had my phone in my pocket.” Martha showed Harriet her pocket. It was kind of wide and kind of loose on the baggy pants she was wearing. “Anyway, it fell in the toilet.”
Harriet laughed. The security people laughed. Martha cried. “I didn’t know what to do. The phone was dead. I didn’t have time to buy a new one before my flight into Sacramento and then, well, here I am.”
“Why didn’t you call me from another phone?”
“I didn’t know your cell phone number off the top of my head. I just tap your name. Never bother with numbers anymore.”
“I know,” Harriet said. “Modern technology.”
“We tried to call the house. This nice security man helped me get Henry’s number. No answer.”
“No one’s home. They’re getting the ultrasound right now, today.”
“Really,” Martha said. “That’s great.” Then she sprang to her feet and threw her arms around Harriet. “I’m so glad to see you. I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you,” Harriet said. “And I’m glad you’re safe. I’m glad you’re here. I was so worried. I thought you were kidnapped or in a hospital or you changed your mind. Or the plane crashed, but I figured they would have told us if that happened.”
Martha put out her arms and they hugged again. “I’m so glad you’re here.” Harriet said again.
“Me too,” Martha cried.
“Let’s go home,” Harriet said.
Henry waited for Prudence in the waiting room while she got cleaned up and mercifully visited the bathroom. He couldn’t keep from telling everyone his news.
“Twins,” he kept saying. “Twins.”
The people in the room applauded. Henry had never experienced anything that came close to what he was feeling at that moment. Marrying Prudence was a close second. His first book contract was pretty exciting. But this. This was extraordinary.
Henry could not stop grinning. And why not? He was going to be the father of twins. When he saw Prudence he announced it to his new friends. “Here she is, the best mother-to-be in the whole world.”
“Henry,” Prudence said, “don’t embarrass me.”
“Congratulations,” said one woman sitting next to a big, burly guy. “Twins. That’s awesome.”
“Thank you,” Prudence said.
Henry took her hand. He kissed her. “Are you hungry?” That was when someone laughed and said, “Of course she is. She has two babies to feed.”
“That’s right,” Prudence said. “Now I really need those donuts.”
“All you have is that one suitcase?” Harriet asked Martha as they made their way through the terminal to the car after having some lunch at the airport restaurant Prudence had recommended.
“Yep. Two weeks isn’t that long, and I thought maybe I could do laundry at your house.”
“Of course you can. And maybe you’ll stay longer.”
“No, my return ticket is for two weeks from now.”
Harriet thought at first that she had forgotten where she parked the car. “Oh dear. I was in such a rush and so upset I didn’t take notice of my spot.”
“Oh no,” Martha said. “Losing me was one thing, but we need the car.”
“I know. And Humphrey is in the backseat. I’m sure he’s worried sick.”
“Oh no,” Martha said again. “Let’s just start looking. But stick together.”
“Right.” Harriet reached into her tote bag to retrieve the keys and that was when it struck her. “Wait. The key. When I unlock the door with this thingamabob it beeps and the lights flash.”
“Oh good. Start pressing the button.”
Harriet did, but unfortunately there were other people doing the same thing and so they saw lights and heard cars beeping all over the place, until finally, “Wait,” Harriet said. “I hear Humphrey yowling.”
“It’s coming from over there,” Martha said.
They walked a few more paces until Harriet said, “There it is, right where I left it. I remember now.”
Harriet opened the tailgate. Humphrey was quite pleased to see her and Martha.
“It’s okay, boy,” Harriet said. “We’re back.”
Martha patted his back and sides. “Hello there, Humphrey. How’ve you been?” Humphrey’s tongue lolled out as he grinned from ear to ear. His ears even perked, although only a trained Basset lover could tell for sure.
“He’s so glad to see us,” Harriet said.
Martha pushed her bag into the back. “Don’t worry, boy, just the one. Still plenty of room for you.”
The ride home was enjoyable. Harriet loved being with Martha again. “I fixed up the room,” Harriet said. “Brand new curtains and sheets.”
“Oh, you didn’t have to fuss,” Martha said.
“Sure I did. You are my best friend.”
Martha smiled and was just about to say something when Harriet’s phone jingled. This time she had Martha to find it. Which she did.
“Win?” Martha said looking at the screen.
“Oh dear. Now what does he want? Would you put it on speaker, dear?”
“Who is Win?” Martha asked as she pushed the right button.
Harriet pointed her index finger up. “Hello,” Harriet said.
“Hello there, darlin’.”
Harriet glanced at Martha. She hadn’t told her about the gold mine yet. And wasn’t sure this was the best time.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I really need to schedule our appointment for tomorrow. Can we meet at the café say around ten-thirty in the morning?”
“I … I suppose so. Will you still have pictures?”
“Sure, sure,” Win said. “But I need you to go to the bank first and meet me at the café after.”
“Okay. I guess I can do that. How much more do you need?”
“Another fifteen.”
“Hundred?” Harriet said.
“Yep.”
“Okay,” Harriet said with a deep breath. “I’ll be there. And can you bring the copies of the papers I signed too?”
But Win had already hung up. She had Martha tap off the phone.
“What was that all about?” Harriet would have to tell her now.
“So what do you think?” Henry asked as they stood in line at the bakery. “Should we tell her?”
“Who?” Prudence was perusing the tasty assortment of bakery delights. “Your mother? About the twins?”
“Yeah.” Henry pulled the number thirty-eight. They were serving twenty-two. “This could take a while. Maybe we can find another bakery.”
“No,” Prudence said. “This is the best one. Certainly we should. I mean, do you think you could keep the secret that long? I mean, we have a ways to go.”
“Probably not,” Henry said.
“Okay. So we’ll tell her I’m expecting twins.”
“She will die,” Henry said.
“Oh, don’t say that. I’m going to need her help for sure.”
Henry looked around the small shop. “So we should definitely tell Mom that we just found out that we’re having twins.” His voice was a little louder than necessary. The bakery customers applauded and congratulated them.
“Way to go,” one man said with a slap on Henry’s back.
Henry could feel that he was beaming, even if it wasn’t such a manly thing. He couldn’t help it. Prudence, on the other hand, looked a little pale.
“You haven’t eaten anything since oatmeal this morning?” Henry asked.
Prudence shook her head. “All I want is a donut. Glazed and warm.”
That was when a small, older woman wearing a baggy coat and pointy glasses moved to the front. “I’m next,” she said, “but take them first. She needs a donut more than me.”
“Thank you,” Henry said. “That is so kind of you.”
“I had seven babies,” she said. “Never enough donuts.”
Henry swapped numbers with the lady. But he didn’t have to. Everyone agreed to let the lady go right after Henry.
“Now see,” Prudence said. “And people say it’s a terrible world. I think it’s a lovely place to raise children.”
Henry ordered a dozen glazed donuts. Warmed.
Prudence didn’t make it out of the store before eating one. She ate the second in the car.
“I hope Mom made it okay,” Henry said. “She hasn’t called since she made it to the cell lot. I’m choosing to believe that means all is well.”
“Sure it is,” Prudence said. “We would have heard from her if something went wrong. She’s probably home or close to home by now with Martha next to her and Humphrey in the back.”
Martha dropped the phone into Harriet’s tote bag. “Come on, you know you’ll tell me eventually.”
“Okay, but it’s top secret.”
“Is it something for the baby?”
Harriet shrugged. “In a way. I leased a gold mine.”
Martha was silent for several long seconds until she laughed and said, “You are such a card. You did not lease a gold mine.”
“Yes, I did. It’s what they call a placer gold mine, right here in Grass Valley. Well, in Downieville, but it’s not very far away.”
Martha was silent again, but Harriet actually felt good that she finally let the cat out of the bag. She had been dying to tell someone besides Florence. And Humphrey. And it was nice that her best friend knew now too.
“Really?” Martha said. “A gold mine? How in the world do you lease a gold mine?”
“I leased a gold mine from a man named Old Man Crickets. That was his associate who called. Winslow Jump. Win.”
Martha snorted air out of her nose like a bull. She snorted so hard her glasses popped off and landed on the dashboard, and Harriet swerved so hard she nearly ran the SUV onto a rough shoulder. “Crickets? Are you serious? Old Man Crickets?”
“I know, I know. But, yes, that’s his name.”
“How much did that cost? Harriet, I know you got a small fortune when you sold the house and from when Henry sold the business, but you are far from being a millionaire.”
“My initial investment was five thousand for the leasing claim. And I’ve been paying for equipment so Win’s men can work.”
Martha didn’t say a word. Instead, she stared out the window.
“Say something, Martha, please.”
“Five thousand dollars is a lot of money. I could have used that kind of—”
“What?” Harriet said. “Money? You need money? Is that why you sounded strange the last few times we talked?”
“No. Never mind. It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
Harriet felt the elation of the day deflate. “I wish you would have told me.”
“It’s over now. I only hope the claim is on the up and up. You know, there are lots of scams out there.”
Harriet’s spirits sank even lower. She knew that very well, but she was certain Win and Lily were not scam artists and, as usual, changed the subject. Harriet had gotten quite adept at adjusting the fan when the manure threatened to hit. “Hey, there’s something else I wanted to tell you.”
“There’s more? Don’t tell me. You bought the Brooklyn Bridge?”
“No, no. It’s just a small thing so far, but, well, maybe it’s pretty big, bigger than we know. Prudence and I have been trying to get along better, and I’m learning so much about her. She’s not as fancy dancy as I thought.” Then she laughed. “It is kind of hard to be fancy dancy with your head in the toilet.”
“Morning sickness?”
“I’ll say. Morning, afternoon, and evening. And she’s not even in her second trimester yet.”
“Oh, that’s rough. Are you sure they’ll want me there with all that going on? I mean, I’m glad you and Prudence are getting along. I don’t want to interfere.”
“Yep, because I think they kind of like it when I’m keeping busy. Henry’s worried I’ll …” She almost told her about the addition before she was ready. “Well, he’s been trying to get me to make friends, like I’m seven years old.”
Harriet turned onto Butterfly Drive. “This is their street.”
“Very nice,” Martha said. “In fact, I was meaning to say on the drive just how pretty it is out here.”
“It’s okay. I still miss back east sometimes. There’s just something about all those old, stately houses. These ranchers and split-levels are so modern or something.”
“It looks like the kids are still out,” Harriet said as she parked the car. “The BMW is missing.”
“This is a nice house,” Martha said. “Is that your scooter?”
Harriet laughed. “Sure is. Cute isn’t she?”
The two friends sighed at the same time and said, “I’ve missed you so much.” They hugged. Humphrey let go a loud woof.
“Come on,” Harriet said. “Let’s go inside. Believe it or not, I have more news.”
“You’re kidding. I don’t know if I can take anymore, not after the gold mine. I still can’t believe you actually did that.”
“Wait until you meet Lily and Win. You’ll feel so much better about it.”
Harriet opened the door and stepped out.
“Lily?” Martha said. “Who is Lily?” She tugged open the lift gate.
“Win’s daughter. She’s a teenager. You know the type—seventeen, dark, brooding, probably writes poetry late at night.”
“Weren’t we all dark at that age?”
“Well, let’s get your bag inside and I’ll show you around.”
Harriet unlocked the front door as Humphrey scooted around to the back of the house. “Welcome,” she said, “to Chez Beamer.” She went in and dropped Martha’s bag on the floor.
Martha stepped farther into the house. “This is love
ly. Prudence did a nice job decorating.”
“It is nice,” Harriet said. “And it’s going to get a whole lot nicer.”
“How so?”
“Come on in the kitchen and I’ll tell you.”
“I could sure use a cup of coffee,” Martha said.
“It’s been quite a day for you.”
Harriet prepared the coffee as Martha looked around. “Now, this is a great kitchen. And look at the deck.” She moved closer to the sliders. “Oh, Humphrey looks like he wants in.” She pushed open the door and in he went, heading straight to his water bowl.
“Henry said it was added on a couple of years before they bought it. And speaking of adding on …”
Martha sat down at the table with a little bit of thud and sigh. Obviously travel weary.
Humphrey finished lapping his water and stretched out his long body on the floor at Martha’s feet. “How are you, boy?” She leaned over and gave him a good rub behind the floppy ears. “Oh, I’ve missed these ears.”
Humphrey smiled.
The coffeemaker gurgled and the aroma of coffee swirled through the room. She opened a cabinet. “Little Debbies. That boy is in for a rude awakening one day. He eats them like they’re going out of style. I don’t suppose you want one?” She showed Martha a box of oatmeal creme cookies.
“No, thanks. Something about flying that always makes my stomach funny for a while, although lunch was good. Just the coffee.”
Harriet set two coffee cups on the table. She chose cups with saucers instead of big, heavy mugs. A reunion between close friends called for cups with saucers.
“Any-hoo,” Harriet said, “my other news is that the kids are having an addition—”
“I know that,” Martha said.
Harriet chuckled. “No, no, let me finish. They aren’t just having a baby. They’re also having an addition built—a mother-in-law suite. Can you believe it?”
“Oh, Harriet,” Martha said. “That is good news.”
“I call it the Grammy Suite.”
“Harriet, you are one terrific mom. And now you’ll have a place for your collection. Sounds to me like the kids are trying to take extra good care of you.”
Harriet was tempted to explain that she was paying for it, but decided it wasn’t really about the money. It was about the love.
The coffeemaker gurgled at last and Harriet filled their cups. She set a small pitcher of cream on the table.
