Serenity

by Dixie Land

  “Well, Maggie, until today Caroline’s been shut up in her own grief, if you know what I mean. She hasn’t reached out to anyone. Lord knows I tried to comfort her. We used to be quite close. Plenty of other folks have tried to help too, but it just seemed no one could get through that wall of sorrow she’s pulled up around herself. But today—today she reached out to you. I hope you’re gonna take her hand. It could do you both a world of good. I sense you’re carryin’ your own powerful load of grief.”

  “I‘m not sure what the right thing is for me now.” Maggie’s eyes were still misty. “When I stopped here an hourand-a-half ago it was to take a break from driving. Now, a short time later, I’m being asked to consider making Serenity my home. And, I find myself actually thinking about the possibility.“

  “You just keep considerin’, honey. That’s all we can ask.” They reached the food tents. “We’d better get in line before this good food’s all gone.”

  By the time she reached the desserts, Maggie’s plate was close to overflowing. There was fried chicken, beef stew, barbecued ribs, ham, country ham, stuffed pork chops, squash casserole, broccoli in cheese sauce, green beans, corn, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, potatoes au gratin, and the list went on. Even a smidgen of everything that looked good was impossible to fit onto a dinner plate.

  Lil introduced Maggie to everyone in the double line, and they chatted as they loaded their plates. Maggie picked up napkins and flatware while Lil looked for a place for them to sit.

  “Lil, over here.”

  Maggie looked in the direction of the rich baritone voice. A tall, well-built man with dark brown hair rose from his seat and gestured. Maggie thought him quite handsome except for the melancholy look in his eyes. This was the second person in Serenity with that same sad expression. Was there any connection?

  “Ross.” Lil waved back. “We’ll be right over.” She leaned toward Maggie’s ear. “Come on, honey. You have to meet our town pharmacist. And there’s Doc Miller and his wife, Kathryn, sittin’ across from him. Did I mention that Doc’s lookin to hire a nurse?”

  ChapterThree

  hanks for the help, Mr. Keller,” Maggie said as the older man laid the last of her suitcases on the floor in the living room of the apartment over his and Caroline’s garage. “I hope you haven’t strained your back. Some of my boxes were pretty heavy.”

  “Whew!” Mr. Keller sat down on the couch and wiped his brow with his shirtsleeve. “A couple of them were right heavy. For the life of me I don’t know how a little girl like you got ‘em in your car all alone. And Maggie, I wish you’d call me Charlie like every body else does.”

  Maggie laughed. It had been a long time since anyone had referred to her as a little girl. It felt comforting to have this fatherly attention. “I’ll try— Charlie,” she said still smiling. “My parents were sticklers for Mr. and Mrs.”

  “I understand,” Charlie said good-naturedly. “Oh, before I forget, Caroline wanted me to tell you she’s expecting you for dinner around seven-thirty or so.”

  “That’s very generous, but I’ll just find a bite somewhere. I’m really tired, and I need to spend the evening unpacking. You two have done enough for me today.”

  “It’s you who’ve done for us, Maggie. Caroline’s so pleased that you decided to stay in the apartment. I can’t tell you the difference in her since she met you today. When you get all settled and rested, I’ll tell you a bit about what the last couple of years have been like for Caroline. We sure would love it if you’d decide to come eat with us tonight. We’ll set a place for you, but if you don’t make it I’ll understand.” Charlie rose and started toward the door.

  “I’ll try to come. And thanks again for everything.” He stepped out of the apartment and closed the door.

  Maggie heard his footsteps fade as he trudged down the steps. She could feel the moisture welling in her eyes at this

  couple’s kindness and concern. Then thoughts of Michael and

  why she had fled Alexandria, flooded through her mind, and

  the tears spilled onto her cheeks. How could she have been so

  wrong about him? He’d been so charming, seemed so eager to

  please her. Theirs had been such a whirlwind courtship. But

  he’d seemed so sincere, so genuine about his feelings for her.

  And she’d been so vulnerable. He had asked her to marry him

  after only a few weeks. She had put him off, but he’d been

  persistent and she’d finally accepted after six months. Then

  her mother became ill quite suddenly, and Maggie had insisted

  the wedding wait so she could devote all her spare time to

  caring for her terminally ill mother.

  “Stop this! It’s useless. And it’s over!” She told herself as

  she dried her tears.

  Maggie reached for the largest of her three navy-blue

  and tan suitcases. “Wow,” she groaned, “this is heavy. How did

  I manage it alone?” She half carried; half shoved it into the

  cozy little bedroom and hoisted it up onto the bright pinkblue-and-yellow patchwork quilt that adorned the double bed.

  She straightened herself to her full five-foot-seven inches and

  ran her hand down over her lower back. I must be tired, she thought, and then she tried to remember when she had slept last. “No one should go that many hours without sleep!” she scolded. She opened the suitcase and began unpacking as she

  reflected over the last hours.

  She shook her head slowly as she worked. She was still

  having trouble believing that this morning she had been headed

  for Georgia, either Macon or Savannah, she wasn’t certain

  which, and this evening she had decided to stay in Serenity,

  North Carolina, at least for a little while. She liked everyone

  she’d met today. They were all so friendly, just plain folks as

  they referred to themselves. It was so refreshing after the revelations she’d had in the last few days about two of the people

  she had trusted most.

  Lillian Bingham was very much the mother hen looking out for her throughout the afternoon. She had the distinct

  feeling that Lil had a little matchmaking in mind between

  Maggie and Ross Harrington. But that was the last thing Maggie

  was interested in now or any time for that matter. She had a

  very bad taste in her mouth when it came to tall, dark-haired,

  handsome men. Anyway, she had learned that he was divorced,

  so there must be something wrong with him. She planned to

  keep her distance. Still, she couldn’t help liking Lil. The friendly

  little woman had made her feel at ease, protected, from the

  moment Maggie sat down next to her in the pew. And Caroline and Charlie; they had joined Lil, Maggie

  and the rest of the folks at their table for dessert. Caroline had

  watched Maggie and smiled at most everything she said. Then

  Caroline had gradually joined in the conversation. Maggie hoped she was doing the right thing by agreeing to stay here, that it would be right for Caroline as well as

  for herself.

  Two hours later the white French-provincial dresser

  drawers were filled, her clothes were hung and shoes were neatly

  arranged on the floor of the small walk-in closet. She hurriedly

  made up the double bed with the fresh linens Caroline had sent up with Charlie. She glanced at the watch on her arm and

  was surprised to see that it was seven-thirty.

  She decided she would have dinner with Caroline

  and Charlie, but she’d make it an early evening. Tomorrow

  she really should call Aunt Clara and Aunt Emily to let them

  know where she was. Though they didn’t see one another

  very often anymore, her aunts did call her
occasionally, and

  if they did and found that her phone was disconnected, she

  knew the elderly ladies would worry. And, she didn’t know

  how she was going to explain her reason for leaving Alexandria. For the time being, it was all too fresh and hurt too

  much to discuss with anyone.

  She started out of the room and caught sight of her

  reflection in the dresser mirror. She tucked her blouse in and

  straightened her skirt. She gave her hair a quick once over with

  her brush and pinched her cheeks for color, then headed for

  the door.

  She walked down the stairs and stepped out the door

  into the back yard. As the heat hit her, she felt a slight wave

  of nausea, or maybe it wasn’t the heat so much as the humidity coupled with fatigue and hunger. Charlie was on the

  far side of the yard picking some tomatoes and cucumbers

  from their garden.

  “Charlie,” she called waving at him. “Sorry I’m late.

  The time just got away from me.”

  “Don’t think nothin of it, little girl. I got used to it

  living in a house with two women all those years.” His voice

  trailed off.

  Maggie was silent. She looked around the yard; someone had put a lot of time and work into it, and it was lovely.

  There were tomato plants, cucumbers, green beans, squash,

  and butter beans. Behind the vegetable garden was an American-beauty red rose garden bordered by white impatiens.

  Maggie walked over and bent down to smell one of the roses. “My absolute favorites,” she said. “Did you do all this,

  Charlie? Your garden looks like a page out of Southern Living.” “I do everything but the roses; they’re Caroline’s babies. They were always Joy’s favorite too.” He smiled at Maggie.

  He seemed pleased that she appreciated their efforts. “For a

  while it was Caroline’s only link to sanity during some of those

  early dark days. She said it connected her to Joy.” “I’ll love looking out of my windows with a view like

  this.” Maggie noticed the basket he was filling was just about

  to overflow. “Here,” she said reaching for the cucumbers he

  was trying to balance on the top, “let me carry those.” With

  hands full, she started for the back door.

  “Go right on in, little girl. Caroline’s expecting you.” As she reached the house, she stopped at the foot of

  the stone steps to admire the border flowers. Here more

  impatiens grew, a mix of red and white, with delicate white

  baby’s breath laced throughout them. It made the immaculate white frame home with its shiny black latticework shutters look like a big dollhouse.

  Maggie turned back toward Charlie and, seeing that he

  was busy with his vegetables once again, she gathered her skirt

  up in front of her to make a deep pocket and dropped the

  cucumbers in so that she could rap lightly on the door. “Come right on in, dear.” Caroline was busy at the stove

  and whatever she was cooking smelled delicious.

  When she turned to smile at Maggie, the first thing

  Maggie noticed was Caroline’s blue-gingham bib apron.

  Maggie’s grandmother had always worn one when Maggie was

  little, a bib apron and a smile. It was one of her fondest memories of Granny Ellen. Whenever Maggie saw her, with her white

  curls cut short about her face and her wire rimmed spectacles

  sitting on the bridge of her nose, bustling about the kitchen,

  she thought Granny Ellen would have been the perfect model

  for a Norman Rockwell painting. Though Caroline was a bit

  younger, she would also fit the bill for a Rockwell creation. “Dinner smells wonderful! I can’t imagine how I could possibly feel hungry after the way I ate at the homecoming,

  but the smells in your kitchen make my mouth water, Caroline.” “I just put boneless chicken breasts into some pasta with

  a can of soup, a little butter, cheese, mushrooms and garlic.

  Then I sprinkled on a few crushed seasoned croutons to top it

  off. Nothin’ fancy, but it does smell good, doesn’t it?” Caroline’s

  soft voice had a melodic quality to it. “I’m glad you came,

  Maggie.”

  Their eyes met and held for a moment. Maggie thought

  Caroline’s had brightened a bit from earlier this afternoon. Charlie clomped into the kitchen and plunked his basket of vegetables on the counter.

  “Whew!” he let out a deep breath and mopped his brow

  with his shirtsleeve again then quickly glanced at Carolina as if

  she might disapprove. When she didn’t seem to notice, he continued. “That humidity’s about to do me in.”

  “Why don’t you get washed up for dinner, Charlie,”

  Caroline told him. “I’ll cut up some tomatoes and cucumbers for now, and we’ll get the rest of this washed and put

  away later.”

  Maggie took the flatware that Caroline handed her into

  the dining room and arranged it on the cream-colored lace

  tablecloth that covered the antique cherry dining room table.

  Then she helped Caroline carry the food in to the server. When

  they were seated, Charlie asked the blessing. At the end of his

  prayer, he thanked God for leading Maggie to Serenity. She

  found it quite touching.

  Maggie wasn’t disappointed; dinner was as tasty as it

  smelled. She surprised herself and took seconds. The iced tea

  was marvelous, better than any she could remember. It had a

  bit of a spicy taste, and there was definitely a hint of mint in it

  too. Maggie drank two glasses. When they finished eating,

  Maggie yawned. “I’m so tired, I really need to go back to my

  room and get some sleep.”

  “I stuck a peach cobbler in the oven just before we sat down. It was Joy’s favorite. It’ll be done in less than twenty minutes,” Caroline said, “Why don’t you rest on the front room couch until it’s ready. I’ll fix you a bowl to take with you; then

  you can leave.”

  “I’ll wait for the cobbler, but let me help you with these

  dishes,” Maggie protested.

  “Nonsense,” Caroline said softly. “You can hardly hold

  your eyes open. Charlie’ll help me. He’s used to it.” Maggie went into the living room and sank down onto

  the overstuffed floral slipcovered sofa. It felt wonderful! She

  took a deep breath and closed her eyes, not to sleep, but just to

  rest them. She could hear the sound of a mixer, or something

  humming in the distance and muffled voices as she allowed

  herself to drift off.

  More voices...but she couldn’t understand them. They

  seemed to be speaking in a strange tongue. It wasn’t Spanish or

  French or anything Maggie had ever heard before. Someone

  approached her. It was Caroline, and Charlie was beside her.

  They were looking down at her, and suddenly they began to

  laugh and point at her. When they opened their mouths their

  teeth were jagged. As they leaned over her, Caroline’s eyes took

  on an eerie red glow. Maggie tried to get up but she couldn’t

  seem to move her legs. She looked at Charlie. He was holding

  something with both hands. It was the pitcher of iced tea. As

  he glared at her his skin began to sag and hang down from his

  face and neck.

  “It was the tea,” he said mockingly in a gravelly voice.

  “It was that good, good tea.”

  Maggie screamed, and suddenly she
was aware that her

  legs were moving and her arms were flailing about but reaching nothing. She opened her eyes and Caroline was leaning

  over her calling her name softly.

  “Maggie, Maggie. Child, what is it? Charlie and I were

  out in the kitchen when you let out this blood-curdling scream.

  You must have been dreaming, Maggie, and it must have been

  an awful one. Are you alright now?”

  Maggie sat up and looked around. Charlie was at

  Caroline’s side.

  “I think Maggie’s over-tired,” he said. “I think we need

  to let her go back to the apartment and get a good night’s rest.” “Charlie’s right. I’ll dish up some cobbler for you now.

  And we’ll check on you in the morning. Charlie asked Milt

  from the Phone and Communication Company to come by

  tomorrow morning and get service hooked up for you.” Caroline walked with Maggie to the back door and gave

  her hand a little squeeze as she left. The woman stood in the

  doorway as Maggie crossed the lawn to the garage. Midway across the yard Maggie stopped and turned

  back. “Thanks again.”

  “Good night, Joy,” Caroline called melodically as

  Maggie reached the door to the stairs.

  First that horrid dream and now this! A cold chill ran

  all the way down Maggie’s spine.

  Chapter Four

  espite her fatigue, it had taken Maggie quite some time to settle herself enough to fall asleep. She had decided that she would pack up first thing in the morning. She couldn’t stay on here. The nightmare had been unsettling, but Caroline calling her “Joy” in that tone of voice had been the clincher. It really had jangled her nerves, so badly in fact, that she had pushed one of the living room easy chairs against her door after locking it.

  Maggie stirred from her night’s sleep to the sound of footsteps on the stairs. She bolted up in bed and squinted from the glare of the sun shining through the east window of her bedroom. Someone pounded on the door.

  “Who’s there?” she called out in a firm voice. There was another knock followed by silence.

  “Who’s there?” she spoke louder.

  “It’s Milt Ainsley, from down at the phone company. Charlie asked me to come by and hook up your service. Sorry if I woke you.”

  “I’ll be right there,” she said, hopping out of bed and grabbing her robe as she started for the door. She opened the door a crack, “Sorry for your trouble, but I’ve decided I won’t be staying after all, so I won’t need a phone.”