Sweet Tea and Secrets

by Nancy Naigle

  “That’s really not the point, is it?” Her chest tightened, and she started to sweat. “There’s no good reason for you to have kept that from me.”

  “I’ve been calling all night.”

  “I know.” She didn’t feel bad about admitting she’d avoided his calls.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I agree.”

  “Aw, come on Jill. Work with me here. I’m trying to apologize. I made a bad decision not telling you right away.”

  She swallowed back tears. “There wasn’t a decision to make. What you did was just plain cruel.”

  “I tried. I swear I did. But you were so happy, zipping around handling all the last-minute details for the fundraiser. It was your night to shine, and you did, baby. You were awesome. Pearl was already gone. There wasn’t anything we could do to change that.”

  “That’s no excuse.” Jill couldn’t fathom his line of thinking. She had a suspicion he’d been less concerned about her feelings and more so on throwing a successful event. “I don’t expect you to understand.” Her grief spilled. “I know your childhood was hard, and you don’t have a relationship with your family, but mine is—was everything to me.”

  “I made a terrible mistake. I wish I could take it back.”

  “Well, you can’t.” Was there anything he could say that would make it okay? She couldn’t think of a thing.

  “At least Pearl had a good long life,” Bradley said.

  “She was only eighty-four. A young eighty-four.” Jill clutched her fists to her stomach. “I should have been here.”

  “I said I was sorry, baby. You are going to forgive me, aren’t you?”

  “I can’t have that discussion right now, Bradley. I’m sad. Really sad. And I’m hurt. I feel so...alone.”

  “You wouldn’t be alone if you hadn’t left without talking to me,” he said. “Is there a lot to do?”

  “Pearl had the whole thing pre-planned and pre-paid. No surprise there.” She stopped short of telling him about the break-in.

  “Sounds like someone else I know. When’s the funeral?”

  “Saturday. Aunt Milly has everything under control. She’s been a huge help. What’s all the noise in the background?”

  “Palm Beach ring a bell? I’m at the club. We had plans, remember?”

  “You flew down there this morning?” That struck a nerve. He’s just moving right along like nothing’s happened.

  “Yes, but it’s not going so well. I can’t do this without you. Now that you’ve made certain that things are taken care of, I thought I’d book you a ticket—first class. We’ll spend a day here then fly back to Virginia together Saturday morning.”

  Jill pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at it. Was he completely ignorant to what she was going through?

  “I’m not going anywhere.” Her voice rose as she leaned forward in her chair. “In any class.”

  “This is important.”

  “And what I’m going through isn’t?” She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. When she spoke, her voice was just above a whisper. “I just lost my grandmother.”

  “I know, and I can hear how sad you are. I hate to hear you like that. You said Milly is handling the details. You’ll be back so fast no one will know you were gone.”

  “I’d know, and I’m not leaving.”

  “I need to close this deal. It’s the perfect time and they love you.” Bradley’s tone became impatient.

  “It’s business, not a popularity contest.” Jill’s voice caught on the words as her emotions surged to the surface.

  “Don’t fool yourself. Likability can be a deal breaker. I know that for a fact. Anyway, it’ll lift your mood.”

  “I don’t want to lift my mood, and how about what I’d like? I’d like for you to be here. I need you.”

  “Come on, Jill.” His tone had turned smooth and gentle.

  “It’s not going to happen.” Jill sat straighter in the chair, feeling a renewed strength from standing her ground.

  “I’ll be there for the funeral Saturday then.”

  “I wish you’d come now. This is breaking my heart. I could use some support. I miss you.”

  “I’ll be there soon.”

  “I love you,” she said, hoping he would make her feel better.

  “Hang in there, kiddo.” He hung up before she could say another word.

  She flipped the phone closed with her heart aching. He hadn’t said he missed her or loved her.

  When was the last time he had?

  Garrett grinned at her from the picture in front of her. He had one arm around her waist, and she was laughing so hard her eyes twinkled with tears. When was the last time she’d laughed like that?

  She laid the picture face down on the table and covered it with her hands.

  Chapter Six

  The next morning was unseasonably cool for the end of June. Jill opened all the windows in the house to let some fresh air in before the afternoon sun heated things over. The sweet scent of the flowering Mimosa trees filled the rooms like the smell of cotton candy at the county fair. Their soft pink pom-poms flagged in the breeze as hummingbirds dipped in and out, buzzing like electric weed whackers. She and Pearl had always called them hummers, but after Bradley spoiled that by telling her that word meant something else where he came from, she’d resisted using that nickname any more.

  She reflected on what had happened since she’d gotten the news and her last phone call with Bradley. Why couldn’t he set business aside when she needed him most? The Bradley from this week acted nothing like the Bradley she’d met a year ago.

  Pearl had been the first person to meet him when he came to town. Bradley had charmed the support stockings off her with his perfect manners and charisma. She’d introduced Jill to him after he’d slid into a pew next to her one Sunday at church.

  Everyone in Adams Grove had speculated that Bradley Kase was going to move his philanthropic headquarters to their small town because it was dead center on I-95 of the east coast. Adams Grove had been marketing to entice businesses to help sustain the area’s economy by offering special tax break incentives, low rent store fronts on Main Street and a collection of resumes from local potential employees. The whole town had buzzed about his visit.

  What a pleasant surprise when, just days later, Jill sat in front of that very same man, Bradley Kase, in a job interview for her dream job. The want ad had been so perfect that they could’ve put a picture of her next to it. Except for the fact that he was not moving the Kase Foundation to Adams Grove, but rather to Savannah. If she landed that job, she’d make contacts and get the fundraising experience she’d need for the project she and Garrett dreamed of building, but she’d never considered leaving town before. This was her home. Of course, that was before the breakup with Garrett. That had changed everything.

  Within just a few short weeks after she took the job, Jill became Bradley’s right hand gal, traveling to pick up artwork from galleries all over the country for charity events hosted by his company. For someone who had never been outside of Virginia, she’d gotten an exciting glimpse of a bigger world.

  Pearl hadn’t had a problem with Jill leaving Adams Grove for the opportunity in Savannah, but was devastated over the breakup between Jill and Garrett. To Pearl, their pinky-swear under the monkey bars in elementary school was a sign that the two of them were soul mates.

  Today was the first time Jill had looked back since the day she left town. Something about Bradley—maybe his magnetic smile—had made her trust him more than the people she’d known and trusted her whole life. He’d been so convincing at the time. Things didn’t look as cut-and-dried a year later.

  She felt closed in by the memories, so she headed outside to get some air. Clyde refused to go outside with her.

  Twigs and gumballs, crisp from the summer sun, snapped under her feet.

  The old swing still hung from heavy chains beneath the sweet gum tree. That swing had been her safe place thr
ough many a crisis over the years. She swished pine needles from the worn seat, then sat down and pushed off, letting the swing whisk her and her worries away. The rusty chains groaned. She pumped her legs until the leaves rustled against the moving links, dropping small pieces of bark and dirt into her lap.

  When the swing settled into a steady sway, she traced her fingers over the deep lines of the initials that scarred the silvery, weathered seat. The seat was just wide enough for two people if you squished. Daddy had carved her initials there on the day they’d hung the swing. She’d only been six at the time. Years later, Garrett had carved his initials above hers, and added the letters TLA. True Love Always. She, too, had thought they would always be together.

  She laid her palm flat to cover his initials, then spread her fingers to cover the A in TLA.

  That was more like it.

  TL. Too late.

  Jill dragged her feet to stop the swing, and then walked over to the pecan tree. It was already heavy with new growth, loaded with the treasures that would rock your world in Pearl’s famous chocolate pecan pie this fall.

  Oh, that pie. So good, it smacked your lips for you. Jill remembered her first solo pie. Even the crust had turned out perfect. So perfect, in fact, Daddy hadn’t believed she’d made it on her own.

  That had been the last time she’d seen her father. He’d never had the chance to see what a great cook and baker she’d become under Pearl’s tutelage. He would’ve been so proud of her.

  Jill thought about all the time she and Pearl had spent in the kitchen together. She’d never told Pearl that Bradley didn’t want her in the kitchen. At Bradley’s place, that was Annie’s domain.

  Jill wondered if she could still do Pearl’s secret pie recipe justice.

  Maybe not, but she was determined to try. She didn’t even have to look to know that Pearl would have bags of frozen pecans in the freezer. They collected more than they could use every year.

  She still had plenty of time before Carolanne would arrive.

  Jill hurried inside and grabbed her purse so she could run to town and pick up the ingredients she’d need. She knew them by heart. Through the years, she and Pearl had baked their way through every problem that came their way.

  “Sorry, Clyde. You can’t come, but I’ll bring you a treat.”

  She slammed the door behind her, feeling a renewed energy.

  ***

  With a Spratt’s Market paper shopping bag on each hip, Jill bumped the car door closed and headed to the porch. She could have saved a few bucks by going to the big chain store, but hometown was hometown and folks supported each other that way. Besides, what was better than the smell of those curing hams that hung from the rafters at Spratt’s Market? She probably gained three pounds in water weight just walking into the salty air of that old store, but inhaling that scent was worth it.

  Balancing the bags, she carefully negotiated the steps. The old step that used to tattle-tale when she’d get home late no longer creaked. She took a step backwards then up again to re-test it. Not a sound. When she twisted the key she realized the lock clicked without the jiggle-lift-jiggle she’d perfected over the years.

  She closed the door behind her and hugged the groceries to her chest. So many memories hung heavy in this place. Instead of immersing herself in them again she went straight to the kitchen to work on the pie.

  Every tip Pearl had ever taught her came back. Even the crust came together with no issue. She set the timer and headed for Pearl’s favorite chair to wait for the chocolate and brown-sugar scent to permeate the house.

  The worn cushion sank beneath her. The arms of the chair were threadbare from years of overuse. Just outside the window, birds darted from feeder to feeder. Pearl had loved watching her birds. Without averting her eyes from the view, Jill reached to the right of the chair. As expected, a work-in-progress was nestled in the top of Pearl’s knitting basket. She lifted the half-finished blanket and yarn into her lap.

  Jill’s fingers lingered in the soft yarn. This was the yarn she’d given Pearl for her birthday. She must have really loved it to have already started a new project.

  Jill slipped the knitting needles from the side of the basket. The cool metal rested between her fingers and she began to knit. It only took a few stitches for the rhythm to return, even though she was out of practice. She noticed a dropped stitch and had to back up. On the table next to the chair was a long piece of lavender stationery on which Pearl had jotted the pattern for the blanket. Jill studied it, then click, click, click-click. Lost in the rhythm, the blanket grew in her lap. She and Pearl had spent many fall and winter hours together in this room making blankets and footies for the baskets the church sponsored each Christmas.

  Though Pearl’s eyes were not as sharp as they’d once been, and arthritis had taken the better days from her hands, the beginning of this blanket was flawless. Pearl affectionately referred to her arthritis as Arthur, like a pesky guest who had overstayed a visit. She’d say, “Arthur’s givin’ me a fit today. I wish I could make him a sweater, and send him packin’ forever.” That had always made Jill laugh.

  With a couple of free afternoons, Jill could finish this project. She clicked out a few more rows, then pulled her feet up in the chair.

  “Oh Pearl, losing you isn’t ever going to get easier,” she said, clinging to the handiwork.

  She tucked the blanket and the pattern into the top of the basket, but then something caught her eye. Scribbled on the back of the stationery was a note. Tell Jill about JC, underlined with a scroll. She ran down her mental list of townspeople with the initials JC, but no one came to mind. She’d have to ask Aunt Milly about it. Jill promised herself she’d finish the blanket. It was the least she could do.

  The sweet smell of melted chocolate and sugar drifted into the room. It wouldn’t be long before the pie was ready.

  The oven timer sounded from the kitchen. She ran to the kitchen and peeked inside the oven. The warm whoosh of heat hit her the same time the sweet smell enveloped her like one of Pearl’s hugs. The pie was baked to perfection. Jill did a happy dance with the oven mitt after she slid the pie to the cooling rack. She’d take it to the church reception tomorrow. Her way of honoring Pearl.

  After a quick clean up of the kitchen counter, it was time to head to town to meet Carolanne for dinner. Jill could hardly wait to see her.

  ***

  As soon as Jill turned into the parking lot of the hotel, she caught a glimpse of Carolanne’s fiery red hair. Jill didn’t bother to properly park, just pulled in right behind Carolanne and jumped out to give her a hug.

  “I’m so glad to see you.” Jill pulled back and then hugged her again. “Thank you for coming. I can’t believe she’s gone.”

  “I know. Me either. She always seemed invincible.”

  There weren’t any other words for what they were feeling so they shared a quiet moment.

  Carolanne broke the silence. “Do you want some supper?”

  “No, but I’m sure you’re starved.”

  Carolanne shook her head. “Not really. You okay if we just get munchies and veg-out here at the hotel like old times?”

  “This is why you’re my best friend. Come on. I’ll drive.”

  The girls jumped in Jill’s beamer and headed to the store.

  “Nice ride, gal. Looks like Bradley is treating you pretty good. Speaking of which, where is he?”

  “That topic is off limits until another time. I can’t even talk about it yet.”

  “Uh-oh, then I won’t ask, but I’m here when you’re ready.”

  “Thanks for not asking.” Jill pulled the car out of the parking lot and headed back into town. “By the way, New York has done a chic number on you, hasn’t it? I love your hair.”

  “Yeah, they didn’t think my old hairdo was hip enough, so they talked me into a little modification. Doesn’t look all that different to me, just a little shorter, and flipped under instead of back.”

  “I like it.�
��

  “Have you been over to the house yet?”

  “I spent the night there last night, and all day.” Jill’s chest tightened as she recalled how empty it had felt. Empty. And lonely. “It’s weird without Pearl there. I kept feeling like she was going to scuff down the hall any minute.” A tear slid down Jill’s cheek.

  Carolanne reached across and brushed it away. “I wish we were getting together for anything but this.”

  “Me, too.” Jill wished she had a little advice from Pearl about how to get through all of this.

  Whether it was a year or a day, Jill and Carolanne always picked right up where they’d left off. Tonight that meant a trip to Spratt’s Market for comfort food and wine. Then back to the hotel for some good-old-girlfriend consolation. Better than therapy. They laughed and cried until neither could keep their eyes open. They made plans to drive over to Pearl’s in the morning and get ready, check on Clyde, and wait for Macy to pick them up.

  ***

  By nine o’clock in the morning the temperature had already hit ninety degrees with humidity so high that going outside was like walking into a wet sweater. Jill and Carolanne got ready for the funeral. Jill kept checking for Bradley, but she was disappointed every time she ran to the front door only to be met by a delivery or another neighbor checking in.

  By late afternoon, the heat hadn’t given up its grip, but that didn’t stop anyone from dressing in their Sunday finest on this Saturday to pay their respects to Pearl Clemmons.

  Bradley hadn’t shown up, but Jill hadn’t given that a second thought since she’d stepped out of Macy’s navy blue limousine with Carolanne and Aunt Milly.

  Sitting in the front pew next to Carolanne before Pearl’s service started, Jill’s arms and legs felt heavy, her life small and empty. She concentrated on the light that streamed through the stained glass windows across the floor. A breeze moved the trees outside, throwing shadows across the bands of colorful light that made them appear to dance.

  The congregation hummed with muffled chatter between friends and families. The old church was full, forcing new arrivals to line the back wall. A few latecomers cozied into the remaining space, as the strong sound of the organ filled the room.