Guarded

by Angela Correll

  She reached across the table to take Evelyn’s hand.

  “What is it?”

  Just then, they heard footsteps on the stairs. Rossella walked into the room with her hair perfectly coifed on top of her head and a red sleeveless dress.

  “Good morning,” she said. “I cook eggs?”

  Much to her frustration, they had not been able to get back to Evelyn’s problem. Rossella sucked the air out of the room with clattering pans and pulling out butter and eggs.

  The end result was delicious as the eggs were flavored with pieces of the salty meat Rossella had served at dinner on Monday night. As good as it was, Beulah resented the interruption.

  “I need to leave for an appointment in Rutherford,” Evelyn said after breakfast. “Why don’t you stop by sometime after three? I should have an e-mail from Annie by then.”

  Whatever it was would have to wait.

  After Evelyn left, Beulah tended to Annie’s chickens and gathered a few more tomatoes from the garden while she was outside. The forecast predicted frost any day now, and that would be the end of the garden except for the greens. Later in the morning, she piddled around the house and did some laundry while Rossella sat in front of the television and watched a soap opera.

  Lunch came and went with them both taking leftovers out of the refrigerator, and she was relieved to see Rossella more interested in the television than the kitchen.

  Finally, the time came around to go to Evelyn’s.

  “I’ll be back in a few minutes,” she said to Rossella, who was now sitting in the sun on the back porch reading a magazine. “Don’t forget we leave for prayer meeting at five forty-five and then we’ll eat chili with the Gibson’s after church. So you don’t need to cook anything,” she said, just to make sure Rossella got the point.

  “I be ready,” Rossella said, and barely looked up from her magazine, which seemed a bit rude to Beulah.

  ***

  “In here,” Evelyn said when she called at the back door. Evelyn was sitting at the computer and printing out papers. “You’re going to love this,” Evelyn said, handing the papers to her as they came off the printer.

  Beulah looked at each face with something akin to greed. Her new relatives! Her nephew Benito, and her great-nephew Vincenzo, his wife Anna, his son Luca and daughter Rosa. Her Italian family. How strange the names seemed on her tongue, yet they belonged to her. By God’s grace, they belonged to her.

  “Before we talk, go ahead and read Annie’s e-mail.”

  Beulah read it and learned all about her visit to the farm. Pictures completed the story, the family, their farmhouse, the olive trees, and the black pigs with the white circle around their bellies, and even one of the lunch Anna and Rosa had prepared for them.

  “It was with great sadness we said goodbye. They want to come visit and they want you to come here.”

  Tomorrow night, Annie would be home. Rossella would leave on Saturday. Joy of joys, to have her kitchen back by Saturday night. Beulah’s cup truly was overflowing. She smiled and looked at Evelyn, trouble spelled out all over her face.

  “What’s upsetting you?” she said.

  “Let’s go in the living room where it’s more comfortable,” Evelyn said, and pushed back from the computer desk.

  When they settled into the living room chairs, Beulah saw a range of emotions cross Evelyn’s face before she finally spoke.

  “It started with Tom returning Jake’s calls when he was still living here at the house before he moved to the cottage. Often I answered the phone. We began talking, and if Jake was gone, sometimes we talked for an hour. It’s strange, Beulah. I’ve known Tom the entire time I’ve been in Somerville, but I’ve not really known him. He was married and I was married, we only saw each other in passing downtown or at some social function. His wife died not long after Charlie. But he goes to the Methodist church and lives in town and our paths never crossed until he and Jake began a friendship.”

  “Not unusual in a small town,” Beulah said. “We all know each other, but sometimes we don’t really know about each other.”

  “Exactly,” Evelyn said. “The more we talked, the more I realized how much I liked him, as a person. He’s genuine and loves living here in a small town, but he also enjoys music and art and sometimes travels to Chicago and Atlanta for weekends. His family is actually from Lexington, just like mine, but he settled here when he got out of law school. We’ve so many things in common.”

  “You’ve fallen for him,” Beulah said, trying to help Evelyn get to the point, which seemed fairly obvious by the glow on her face.

  “We’ve never been on a date together. We’ve only talked and then I invited him to the dinner party at my house. He came to dinner at your house on Monday and then Jake invited me to go with them on the farm visit yesterday. I’m afraid I am falling in love.”

  As she spoke, Evelyn twisted a Kleenex into a tight rope and then unwound it. “I never expected to date again. I wasn’t looking for this. Tom hasn’t spoken to me about it being anything other than a friendship. What should I do?” she said, an agonized look on her face. “And what about Jake? He was looking for a mentor, not his mother’s future boyfriend,” she said, laughing. “Then there’s Lindy.”

  Beulah could not keep herself from smiling.

  “Evelyn, you know Jake. He won’t stand in the way. He’d be happy for you, if it’s what you and Tom both want. Lindy as well. You and Tom are adults and must decide if it’s worth pursuing or not.”

  “Should I talk to Jake about it before it goes any further?”

  She thought about the challenges of a blended family, even when the children were adults.

  “If you want Jake’s blessing, then yes, it’s probably a good idea. Maybe you should wait until Tom invites you out on an official date. Otherwise, it might be jumping the gun,” she said.

  “Right. I’m borrowing trouble. If and when he invites me out, I’ll talk to Jake.”

  ***

  Beulah kept looking at the pictures of her Italian family over and over again and then compared them with pictures of Ephraim, right before he went into service and as a younger boy. With so many similarities, there was no need for the modern DNA test. It was quite evident from the facial features this family’s blood ran the same as hers.

  It was hard to tear herself away from the photographs to dress for Wednesday night prayer meeting, usually one of her favorite times of the week. When Beulah came downstairs, Rossella was already waiting for her, dressed in a striking coral dress with a matching headband that circled the base of the piled-high hair. She had never seen Rossella with her hair down and couldn’t help but be curious as to the length.

  Once inside the church, Beulah led her to her normal pew, six rows back on the organ side. The Wednesday night crowd was always much lighter than the Sunday regulars. Church attendance had nothing to do with being a Christian, but she did value an assembly of believers. She tried to be there every time the church doors were open unless there was a mighty good reason not to. Since she had missed Sunday to go to the Catholic church, it was especially important to attend on Wednesday night in case there was any talk of her joining up with the Catholics. Especially if Woody or Betty Gibson had mentioned her partaking in wine at the Monday night dinner party.

  Patsy, one of her friends from the Women’s Missionary Union, came over and kneeled on the pew in front of them.

  “Beulah, is this the lady who’s making spaghetti tomorrow night at the Country Diner? I’ve been hearing about it all week on the radio and we’re planning to come,” she said.

  Rossella glowed and extended her hand like a princess. Patsy shook her hand and then looked back at a row of women and mouthed, “It’s her!” Soon, ladies, chattering and gawking at Rossella, surrounded them.

  “You’re from Italy?”

  “Yes, but now I live in Brooklyn,” Rossella said.

  “How’d you come to know Beulah?”

  Thankfully, the organist star
ted playing “I’ll Fly Away,” which sent everyone scurrying back to her seat. After a time of worship, Brother Gilliam gave the scripture reading and a mini-sermon. Then he opened up the floor for prayer requests. Congregants raised their hands and shared concerns for prayer when recognized.

  “Pray for Jerry Cordier, he’s got terrible back pain.”

  “Remember the leaders of our country and the troops overseas.”

  “The Durhams down on Puny Branch need prayers, they lost their house to a fire.”

  “Pray for Esther Ray, her cancer came back.”

  Pastor Gilliam let it go on for a while and then gave a last call before offering up a prayer for all the requests.

  “Any more?” he said, his eyes scanning the crowd.

  She heard the pew creak and felt it shift. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Rossella raise her hand. Beulah turned, and before she could swat Rossella’s hand down, pastor Gilliam saw Rossella and nodded for her to speak.

  “Pray for me tomorrow night,” Rossella said. “I have much cooking to do for many people at the Country Diner. Open five to nine. My spaghetti special, six ninety-nine.”

  Beulah nearly toppled out of the pew in embarrassment.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  ANNIE THOUGHT HOW good it was to be back on American soil. The trip to Italy was life-changing and there were so many memories she wanted to share in detail with Beulah. Her first priority at home was to scan pictures of Ephraim and email them to her new family in Italy. Benito was anxious to see an image of his father. Her second priority was to invite them to Kentucky. It might be hard with Vincenzo and Luca farming, but if they could at least get Benito and Angelina over, the others might come later.

  While Janice waited on the luggage at the Atlanta airport, Annie went to the bathroom to check her face and brush her hair. It was like a first date all over again, she was so nervous about seeing Jake. When she spotted him across the baggage claim, he broke into a grin and seconds later, she was in his arms.

  “I missed you, Annie,” he said, whispering her name, and holding her tight.

  “I have so much to tell you,” she said, nestling her face in the folds of his sleeve.

  Jake took both their bags and listened, as she and Janice talked nonstop all the way to the parking lot. Jake peppered them with questions which kept them talking all the way to Somerville.

  In the farmhouse on May Hollow Road, Annie introduced Janice to Beulah while Jake carried her suitcase upstairs. Rossella reached for Janice, holding her face in both hands and kissing both cheeks.

  “Mama, you look well. Farm life has been good for you?” Janice asked.

  “Si, si,” Rossella said. “Bene, bene,” she said. “Good time,” she said, as if realizing she had fallen back into her native language.

  “I can’t wait to hear all about it,” Janice said.

  “Janice, I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done,” Beulah said, her eyes welling with tears.

  “Beulah, it was an absolute joy. You’re going to love your new family. They are wonderful.”

  “I already do … Now, you have time for a bath before supper.”

  “I’m ready,” Janice said.

  After Jake left and Janice went upstairs, Annie turned to Beulah and Rossella.

  “So, you two had a good week?” Annie asked.

  They turned and looked at one another and then giggled like schoolgirls.

  “What?” Annie said, looking from her grandmother to Rossella.

  “It ended well,” Beulah said.

  “Si,” Rossella smiled.

  ***

  At dinner, Annie could hardly keep her eyes off Jake. He had showered and changed from his farming clothes and wore a blue shirt accenting his light blue eyes, along with his standard jeans and work boots. After Evelyn ladled soup for everyone, Annie and Janice relived the trip for Beulah, Evelyn, and Jake with Rossella listening intently and commenting on things about her native country as she could.

  Jake was especially interested in the farm visit and the cinta senese pigs Vincenzo was raising.

  “Several farmers here raise hampshire pigs, which are like the cinta senese,” Jake said.

  “It’s the best meat,” Rossella said, using her hands to emphasize. “Molto bene.”

  Beulah wanted to know everything about Benito, from what he had done in his life and how he met his wife, to what his voice sounded like and his mannerisms.

  “I took video,” Annie said. “We’ll watch it later.”

  Evelyn said, “Janice, you’ll be happy to know Rossella has made quite a name for herself at the Country Diner. She was asked to be a guest cook last night and they sold out of the spaghetti by seven-thirty, the first time the diner has ever sold out of anything.”

  “Mama,” Janice said. “You cooked for a diner?”

  “Yes,” Rossella said. “And I loved it. Today I decide, go back to work,” she said and looked at Beulah. Annie saw her grandmother nod. “I need to cook. Every day. For many people. It is my gift and I must give.”

  “But where?” Janice asked. “Our kitchen’s too small.”

  “No, no. I cook in restaurant. Mario has been asking me, but I no want to leave you since you work. But eez no good for me, cook for four people. I can cook for lunch, and then bring you home supper.”

  Janice smiled back at her mother-in-law with deep affection. “Fantastic.”

  ***

  Annie was anxious for the party to break up so she could be alone with Jake. He had still made no mention of her email and she wanted to tell him in person anyway, just to clear the air. Finally, Beulah, Rossella, and Janice left in the car. Annie and Jake said goodnight to Evelyn and went out the back door, hand in hand, down the steps and across the drive to the servant’s cottage under the shade of two maples.

  “Is that wood smoke?” Annie asked.

  “I made us a fire,” Jake said.

  They settled on the couch in front of the roaring fire.

  “When did you do this?” she asked.

  “While you were washing dishes,” he said. “It’s the first one of the season. I could’ve had one earlier this week, but I wanted to wait until we could enjoy it together.”

  “Jake, I’m sorry about how we left things,” she said.

  For the next hour, Annie poured it all out, from the day she overheard Betty Gibson’s words, to all the fear it stirred up in her heart, to a final realization in Italy she had been protecting herself all along.

  Jake shook his head. “I’ve known for years you keep a pretty good wall up after what happened with your dad but I thought we’d crossed that hurdle when we got together. This caught me by surprise.” Jake took her face in his hands. “Promise you’ll come to me next time instead of holding all that inside.”

  “I will, I promise,” Annie said and he kissed her gently on the lips, his eyes so tender, she nearly melted into him.

  He kissed her again before pulling back. “Now, I have a confession to make to you.”

  “What?” Annie said, and sat up to look at him.

  “It was nearly World War III with Beulah and Rossella. Mom and I decided not to tell how you how bad it was so you could concentrate on finding Ephraim’s son.”

  Jake started at the beginning, from Rossella’s arrival with wine to Sunday dinner and the tagliatelle hanging in the dining room and then to dinner on Monday night, including the Rhode Island Red.

  Annie put her hand over her mouth. “Oh, I shouldn’t laugh,” Annie said, “but the kitchen is her domain. You remember how we battled over the coffeemaker when I first moved back.”

  “I’m only telling you about what I saw. Who knows what happened between the two of them? Joe told me Rossella offered a prayer request in the form of a plug for her Country Diner gig at prayer meeting on Wednesday night. Joe said he thought Beulah’s eyes were going to pop out. Anyway, just so you know, it’s not been easy for Beulah.”

  Annie leaned back on the couch and
grinned.

  “Poor Grandma, this whole thing with Ephraim, Rossella’s arrival on top of it, has rocked her world. Sounds like we need to try and go out for dinner tomorrow night, just to keep the peace.”

  “I would highly recommend it. Although it does seem like something finally leveled out in the last day or so.”

  “I’ll tell them first thing in the morning before someone starts cooking. How is Lindy? I thought I might see her tonight.”

  “That’s another piece of news. Tom called me and asked if I could come by his office yesterday. He asked my permission to date Mom.”

  “Finally, they’re admitting to it,” she said, and then grew concerned. “What’d you say?”

  “I asked him what his intentions were,” Jake said.

  “You didn’t.”

  “I wanted to hear it from him, man to man.”

  “What’d he say?”

  “He said, ‘my intentions are for the purpose of marriage, if all parties involved are agreeable.’”

  “Sounds like a lawyer,” she giggled. “What’d you say?”

  “I told him as long as his intentions were honorable, he had my permission. Getting back to Lindy, he said before he proceeded, he was taking Lindy out to dinner tonight to make sure she was okay with it. Lindy knows what he’s up to and she’s prepared this whole list of questions to ask him. I think she’s going to put him on the hot seat before she gives her permission.”

  “Poor Tom. You two deserve to be siblings.”

  “He’s a big boy, he can handle it. If you marry, you get the whole family, so it’s wise to smooth the way on the front end.”

  With her face pressed against his chest, she watched the dying fire.

  “Annie,” he said. “You’re falling asleep. Let me drive you home.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “You’re worn out and jet-lagged on top of it,” he said, pulling her up from the couch.

  “I can drive, you don’t have to take me home.”

  “Don’t deny me the joy of taking care of you.”

  At the back door of her grandmother’s house, she kissed him goodnight. After he left, she looked up into the clear night sky and saw the moon, waning now—the same moon from the Tuscan sky just hours before.