“Wow, so what did your mom do when she said that?” I asked quietly.
“She told her that as long as she lived under her roof, she would do what she said. It was so bizarre – things like that just didn’t happen in our house, and Darlene had never really fought with our parents before. Mom thought it would be better for her to be in a town where people didn’t know her. Dad wanted her to stay and make it work with the father. She refused to be cooperative, though, and she wouldn’t tell my parents who the father was. So, within two days, Mom had her in the car driving to St. Louis. Darlene wasn’t happy at all – before they left, she had a huge screaming fit.”
“That must have been hard on you, since you were so close,” I offered. She stopped walking and turned to stare at me, a breeze blowing her short hair straight up above her forehead.
“It was a real turning point for me,” she admitted. “I grew up thinking Darlene was my best friend, but finding out there were so many things she hadn’t told me… Well, I felt like my world had been turned upside down, too. It was when everything changed, for all of us. Nothing would ever be the same. I thought it could be, though.”
“That’s why you wanted her to come home?”
“We all did,” she sighed. “That’s what we expected – she would be gone through the summer, and then she would come home. Didn’t work out that way, though. Do you want to look at the fountains?”
“Okay,” I shrugged. We hadn’t even made it to the water lilies yet, but she seemed a little frazzled, so I just followed her and kept my mouth shut.
“My aunt called a few days after Mom dropped Darlene off to tell us that she was gone,” she continued. “She hadn’t left a note or anything – simply disappeared. Dad and I thought maybe something happened to her, but Mom would never agree. Something took place between them in the car on the way to St. Louis, but Mom would never talk about it. Whatever it was, Mom was completely convinced that Darlene ran away because she didn’t want to have the baby.”
“And you never heard from her again,” I completed her story aloud, but she shook her head.
“Actually, I did hear from her,” she corrected me. “I received a phone call one night at the house from a man who claimed to be one of the boys from school, but when my dad handed me the phone, it wasn’t any voice I recognized. Whoever he was, he handed the phone off to Darlene. She asked me not to tell anyone she called, but she needed money. She gave me her address in St. Louis and begged me to send her whatever I could come up with, but I didn’t have any money, and I certainly wasn’t going to steal it from my parents.” Pausing in her story, she stared off into the distance. “Isn’t that bird beautiful?”
Meg pointed to a blue jay who was rather close to us, just calmly resting on a rock. I watched it for a minute, since she thought it was important enough to interrupt her story. When it eventually flew away, she sighed and continued walking.
“A couple of weeks after she called, I knew I didn’t have anything to send her, but I wanted to talk to her again. I wrote her that simple little letter, just hoping she would call me. Before I could mail it, though, she showed up. It was a Monday in June, and I had just come home from the library. I put my books on the bed, and I noticed that my window was open a crack. When I went to shut it, there was a necklace there that had belonged to Darlene. Knowing she was nearby, I told Mom I was going to walk up the block, and I just took off. Around three houses down, she emerged from behind a bush. I remember thinking she looked kind of sick, but she definitely wasn’t pregnant anymore.”
Drawing up beside her as she paused to look across the fountains, I studied her for a brief moment before I looked at the landscape. She mentioned something about one of the jets reaching one-hundred thirty feet, but I didn’t ask her to elaborate because I was a lot more concerned now about Darlene. She had drawn me in with her story, reluctant though I had been in the beginning.
“So, did you tell your mom she was back?” I wanted to know, only feeling slightly pushy.
“No,” she explained. “She said she was going to come home, but after she was here, she knew she couldn’t stay. She wouldn’t show her face to Mom again until she had made something of herself – that’s what she told me. She thought she might eventually become a stewardess.”
Meg didn’t say anything to me about my response when she made that remark, although I am fairly certain that my countenance turned rather ghastly white. I practically felt the blood draining from my face, knowing that the reason Rita left us as kids was to be a flight attendant. Rather than ask me any unnecessary questions, though, Meg just kept on with her story.
“She asked me for whatever money I could give her. I told her I would try, so I went back to the house and managed to find forty dollars. Something told me that she might be more receptive to me asking her to stay after she was safely gone, so I grabbed the letter I had addressed to her. Not knowing how to give it to her without being obvious, I took one of my mom’s books and pasted it beneath the dust jacket so it wouldn’t slip out. Then, I walked back down the street, handed her the forty dollars, gave her a hug, and then slid the book into her backpack. That’s the last time I ever saw my sister.”
I stared off at the fountains and tried to collect my thoughts. Whatever reluctance I had in believing Darlene was Rita was slipping away, and the more I tried to rationalize things, the more irrational everything felt.
“This is a really beautiful place,” I offered, making a pathetic attempt to change the subject for just a brief moment.
“Yes, it is,” Meg agreed. “The fountain show was at two o’clock, so we must have just missed it. I wish I could have brought you here last month when the Wisteria Garden was in bloom – it’s breathtaking. Come on; we’ll go look at the waterfall.”
Falling into step beside her, I fully let the reality of what I’d just decided settle.
If Darlene and Rita are really the same person, then this is my aunt Meg. I have an aunt. An actual, flesh and blood aunt, who bears a slight resemblance to Rita. So, I guess that means she sort of looks a little like me.
That also means that horrible snippy Maureen is my cousin. And Tucker, and Jasper.
Ugh, and Hannah.
Wait a minute, how is Hannah…
“How exactly is Hannah your niece?”
Stopping abruptly, I took a deep breath. The chimes were ringing from the stone tower, I could hear the sound of the water rushing, and the scenery was beautiful. Combined with the acceptance of the idea that Meg was really Aunt Meg, I was starting to feel strangely emotional. Battling within myself, I fought to keep it under control.
“Hannah’s adopted,” she offered simply. “Mom and Dad adopted her as a baby right after everything with Darlene. I think they were so upset over losing her that they wanted to fill the void somehow. They didn’t feel right with her calling them Mom and Dad, though, so that’s why they’ve always been Grandma and Grandpa.”
“And she hates me because of Rit… I mean, Darlene?” Laughing, she turned her back to the waterfall and faced me, wrinkling up her nose as she contemplated how to answer.
“Hannah is just really protective of Dad right now, with everything going on,” she stated. “Just give her time, and she’ll come around.”
“Of course,” I whispered, feeling guilty for being so concerned about my own feelings.
“She gave up a lot when she moved back in with Mom and Dad. Dad was so determined not to give up, and Hannah fought to help him as much as she could, but it just became too difficult. I know they both feel pretty defeated right now.”
“And then I show up, dredging up old memories and asking questions about the book,” I added sadly. “I’m so sorry about all of it. I wish I could have met her.”
Meg linked her arm through mine as we walked back towards the arbor of roses, and although it wasn’t quite as easy as bonding over brats at a baseball game, I supposed bonding in a garden with a waterfall wasn’t all that bad.
�
�You could still meet her,” Meg interrupted my thoughts. “She wouldn’t know who you were. She doesn’t even know who Dad is anymore.” Stopping in my tracks, I turned to face my mother’s sister.
“I thought she was gone, as in…gone,” I said stupidly.
“No,” she countered, shaking her head. “She’s at a care facility not far from Dad’s house. It’s a really nice place, and they specialize in Alzheimer’s patients.”
“Oh, wow,” I breathed, “I had no idea. So that’s what all that stuff last night about not giving up meant? That’s unbelievably sad.”
“Yeah,” she stated, beginning to walk again. “I guess it’s been coming on for so long now, it almost feels like the new normal.”
We sat under the circular arbors of pink roses for a few minutes, and then she thought we should head back. Neither of us said much while we were driving. I was fairly lost in my thoughts, and she must have noticed, because she didn’t interrupt them. A couple of times I caught myself staring at her, which she had to have realized, but to her credit, she didn’t embarrass me. In fact, one time she just smiled politely at me, causing me to chuckle at myself. Relief washed over me when she turned the radio on and the silence wasn’t hanging quite so heavily in the air.
“Sitting here with you, it honestly feels like I have DD in the car with me,” she blurted. “Because you look so much like her, I mean. You’re more mature than DD, and not quite as… I was going to say conceited, but that doesn’t feel like the right word. She was just very sure of herself.”
“Yeah, that wouldn’t describe me,” I laughed. “Most days, the only thing I’m sure of is that I will eventually do something idiotic.”
“That can’t be true,” she argued. “Didn’t you say you were a bestselling author?” Nodding my head, I rolled my eyes a bit.
“Yes, with a pen name,” I told her. “My new book is the first one with my real name attached. I’m actually supposed to be on The Tilly Show next week, and a couple of those morning news programs. If it wasn’t for my ability to be so easily distracted, I would be freaking out right now.”
“But that’s so exciting!” she exclaimed. “Mom would have been so proud to have a granddaughter who was a writer like she was.”
“That’s nice of you to say,” I sighed, glancing at her quizzically when I realized we had pulled up at Charlie’s house instead of hers.
“I thought you might want to tell Dad goodbye before you left,” she said quietly, and I nodded. “Hannah’s usually grocery shopping on Sunday afternoons, so I thought this might be a good time.”
Telling her thank you, I pushed open the car door and walked to the house, pausing for a moment on the front step. This was where my mother grew up, and with what sounded like pretty decent parents. The fact that Rita was crazy was already solidified in my mind, but this only seemed to bolster that belief. Raising my hand, I knocked on the door loudly, while Meg busied herself checking on the flowerbeds. When Charlie answered the door, he seemed genuinely happy to see me.
“Why, I didn’t expect to see you,” he stated, stepping back so I could move inside. I smiled as I looked him in the eye.
“Meg wanted to bring me by before I left,” I told him. “I’m glad she did. It wouldn’t have felt right to leave without saying goodbye.”
“I’m glad she did,” he began, reaching out to grasp my arm as though he was steadying himself. “I didn’t get to speak to you much last night. I was hoping to find out whether you’re willing to accept that this old crazy man might be related to you?”
“Yes, sir,” I admitted hoarsely. “I would warn you that I can be a bit of a mess, but I do believe that you are my grandfather. I’d like to be part of your life, if you’ll let me.”
“Oh, Camdyn,” he cried, reaching out and putting his arms around me. I carefully wrapped my arms around his rather frail form, noting first that he smelled a little of pine, but also that he felt much thinner than he looked. We stood there together for a moment, me trying with all my might not to bawl against the shoulder of my poor grandfather who had already gone through so much. He might have needed me to be strong, and I was determined to be that for him, at the very least. Patting me on the back, he stepped back and cleared his throat, motioning for me to sit down. He pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and dabbed at his eyes a little before he smiled over at me.
“I guess God’s still in the miracle business,” he said. “Just when life was beginning to look its bleakest, he sent me an angel. An angel who looks just like my angel.” He laughed, and then he told me to wait, because he had something for me. Disappearing into the back of the house, I didn’t see him for a moment, and I sat there nervously fidgeting until he reappeared. Holding a stack of books in his hands, he carefully lowered himself onto his chair.
“Are those picture albums?” I guessed, making the assumption because Meg had showed me the photos the night before. He shook his head as an excited look crossed his face.
“No, something I think you’re going to like very much,” he added. “God sent you here to research that book, and He knew just what you’d find. One very old man, who would be tickled to death to know you, of course, but He had something for you, too.” Extending his hands, he stretched the books out to me. I reached for them, holding several volumes with plain red covers in my hands.
“What are they?” I asked quietly.
“Journals,” he stated. “Everything Isabel and her mother talked about was written in those journals. They contain all the interviews they did together, and then Isabel used them to write the book.”
“These are priceless,” I whispered, tears filling my eyes. “Are you very sure you want to give these to me, Charlie?”
“Of course I do, and I hope you will find it in your heart to call me Grandpa,” he suggested. “Who better to give them to than a granddaughter who will treasure them?”
“I will definitely treasure them…Grandpa,” I tested the title carefully. “Thank you, but wouldn’t Hannah want them?”
“I don’t think so,” he said thoughtfully. “Hannah has never seemed interested in those kinds of things.”
“No, because Hannah has to spend her time being practical instead of daydreaming,” I heard behind me, and I nearly jumped out of my skin. Turning, I saw Hannah standing motionless by the door.
“Hi, Hannah,” Charlie stated. “How was your visit?”
“Uneventful,” she replied. “I’m just going to help Aunt Meg with whatever she’s doing.” With that, she was back out the door, and I glanced back to my grandfather feeling guilty.
“Hannah’s one of God’s miracles too, you know,” he told me with a smile. “I guess Meg told you about Darlene.”
“Yes…”
“Well, Isabel and I, we prayed so hard for Darlene, and for her baby. Every night, Isabel would be on her knees, asking God to protect that baby, but I think inside she knew…” He paused for a moment, taking a breath. “Well, one night the phone rang, and it was St. Peter’s. They had a little girl there, and for some reason, they thought of us. God honored our prayers by bringing us a baby to protect, like we wanted to protect our own grandchild. In the Bible, Hannah prayed for a child, and God granted her prayer. Isabel figured that since God had granted our prayers, our baby should be Hannah, too.”
“That’s really beautiful,” I assured him with a smile.
“I figure two miracles in one lifetime is more than enough for one man.” He returned my grin, and I reached over to take his hand.
“I can’t wait to hear all of your stories. We have a lot of catching up to do.”
“That we do, my dear,” he added. “Meg will be wanting to get you back to your husband, though, so you don’t miss your flight. Maybe we can call each other on the telephone.”
“Yes, on the telephone,” I agreed with a chuckle, imagining him with an old handset connected to the wall by a cord. “Thank you again, so much.”
“Take care of yourself,” he said, s
tanding up and hugging me again. “And I can’t wait to meet Charlie, too.”
Charlie. Wow, will Charlie be shocked.
Telling him goodbye, I moved out the door and placed the books securely inside Meg’s car. Going around the side of the house, I found Meg and Hannah talking animatedly, but they stopped talking when I approached. Offering me a slight smile, Meg said she would go inside and tell her dad goodbye, and Hannah began to walk off as well.
“Hannah, can we talk?” I blurted at her retreating back. She stopped and let out a heavy sigh, and I steeled myself for a possible confrontation. Rather than biting my head off, though, she simply turned around and looked at me sadly.
“You needn’t worry,” she muttered. “I promised Aunt Meg that I would try to be friendly, and I’ll keep my word.”
“Oh,” I said, slightly surprised. “Well, that’s not… I mean, I would like us to be friends, of course. I just wanted you to know that I wouldn’t do anything to hurt any of you.” Rather than answer, she turned and began walking to the front of the house, and unsure what that meant, I followed a couple paces behind her, waiting for her to go inside. Instead of opening the door, though, she sat down on the front step and looked up at me expectantly. Feeling a little self-conscious, I seated myself beside her.
“I’m sorry for the way I’ve treated you,” she began, clasping her hands in front of her. “I suppose I felt threatened. All my life I’ve heard about this missing family member Darlene, and when you showed up… It’s just different for me, and I don’t expect you to understand.”
“Understand what?” I wondered.
“The fact that I don’t have a mother and father,” she stated. “Grandma and Grandpa have meant everything to me, and I’m so grateful to them, but I don’t have a blood connection with anyone, and I’ve always sort of lived in Darlene’s shadow.”
“Family is the people who love you, nothing more,” I told her, repeating what Rosalie had told me not so long ago. “I never had a mother, either. My Grandma raised me, so we have more in common than you think.”
A Reason to Forget (The Camdyn Series Book 3) Page 11
