Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained

by Roseanne Dowell

  After Ed left to take the boys to school the next morning, Bea busied herself making a chocolate cake. Hopefully, they weren’t allergic. Maybe she should have asked first. She’d never met vegetarians before. So much for trying to be a good neighbor. Sure, she was trying to get an invite inside, but she really wanted to make friends with them.

  If they refused the cake, she’d forget trying to welcome them. They’d have to show her they wanted to be neighborly.

  Ed came in as she put the cake in the oven. “Yum, chocolate cake, smells good already.”

  “Yeah, well don’t get your taste buds to drooling. It’s not for us.”

  “What do you mean it’s not for us? Who’s it for?”

  “Our new neighbors, Harry and Mavis Davis.”

  “Can’t you make us one, too?” Ed gave Bea the look.

  She never could refuse the look. Like a little boy staring at the window in a candy shop. “Okay, okay, I’ll make us one, too.”

  “I gather we’re not going to the rescue center today?”

  “Ed, you know we never go on Tuesdays. I’ve got a million things to catch up on around here.”

  “Like what?”

  Bea gave him that ‘you’ve got to be kidding’ look.

  “Okay, okay. I’m joking. You’re getting too sensitive lately.”

  Bea put her hands on her hips. “You do want a chocolate cake, don’t you?”

  Ed kissed her cheek. “Come on, honey pot, you know I’m not serious.”

  “Good, then you can help. Get the sugar and flour out.” Thank goodness for a double oven. Bea turned the top oven on.

  “Oh, I saw Hank at the hardware store. He’s not too happy with Lottie and that scam.”

  “What were you doing at the hardware store?”

  “Stopped in to get stuff for the drain. I noticed the shower isn’t draining too good.”

  “Oh, so what did Hank say?”

  “Not a lot, just he hated scams like that. It’s not like they can afford to lose a hundred dollars.”

  “I can understand that. It’s a shame. Poor Lottie, she was beside herself. Not that I blame her.” Bea poured the cake batter into two round pans.

  “You never told me about our neighbors. Other than being vegetarian, what are they like?”

  “Hmmm,” Bea put the cake in the oven and licked some batter off her fingers. How much to tell Ed about Harry?

  “Hmm, what? I don’t like that dreamy look on your face.”

  “Well, Harry’s what some women call a dreamboat.”

  “That good, huh, and would you be one of those women?”

  Bea laughed. “Might be.”

  “And… what’s Mavis like?”

  “Mavis struck me as being a bit haughty. Very cultured. I mean dressed to the nines even while they were moving in, complete with pearls. Something very elegant about her. Kind of reminded me of Jackie Kennedy, even her voice, soft but more sultry like Marilyn Monroe.”

  “Sounds like a sophisticated couple. Wonder what they’re doing in this neighborhood.”

  “Just what’s wrong with this neighborhood?”

  “Not a darn thing wrong with it. Just sounds like they’d be better suited for the Highland Heights area.”

  “First impressions could be wrong. We’ll see.”

  Ethel knocked and walked in. “Hello, anyone home?”

  “Of course, we’re home. Our car’s here and the door’s open.” Beatrice Lulu took another cup out of the cupboard. “Coffee?”

  “Sure. Boy, something smells good.”

  “Chocolate cake. If you’ll excuse me, ladies, I’ll make myself scarce. I have a drain to unclog.” Ed stood, kissed Bea’s cheek, and smiled at Ethel.

  “So, how are things working out with the boys?”

  “Going well, thanks.” Beatrice Lulu poured coffee and handed it to Ethel.

  “So, what’s the cake for? Special occasion?”

  “Actually, no. I made one for the new neighbors, and Ed asked me to make us one. So I’ve got one in each oven.” The timer went off, indicating the first cake was done.

  “Does anything smell better than chocolate cake?”

  Beatrice Lulu laughed. “You say that about everything.”

  “What can I say? I love the smell of food cooking.”

  “So, what brings you here this morning? Surely not to ask about the boys or to see what I was doing. You could have done that by phone.”

  “Yes, well, I did wonder about the boys.”

  “What’s up, Ethel. I know you better than that. Something’s going on and you’re dying to spill it.” Beatrice Lulu set the cake on the cooling rack and checked the timer for the second one. Still ten minutes to go.

  “I’ve gathered you’ve not talked to anyone lately.”

  “Only Lottie last night. Why? What’s going on?”

  “Mama said Callie has to stay off her feet. Jim’s going to fill in for her at work.”

  “Oh, no. Why? What’s wrong?”

  “Just a precaution. I guess she was spotting. Doctor wants her to take it easy for a while.”

  “Oh, no. I hope everything’s okay.” Beatrice Lulu looked at Ethel. “So, you could have told me that on the phone.”

  “Well, that’s not the only reason I’m here.”

  “Are you going to share it with me, or keep it to yourself?”

  Ethel looked around. “I’m planning a surprise for Greg, and I need your help.”

  “Ooookay. What kind of surprise, it’s not his birthday is it?”

  “No, not his birthday.”

  “Ethel Mae Capony, if you don’t tell me all in one sentence you can forget it.”

  “Okay, okay. You know he fell in love with that German Shepherd, don’t you?”

  “Yeah, so?” Ethel was usually more forthcoming.

  “I want to get it for him, but I don’t want to give it to him right away. I know you’ve got two dogs now, but I thought maybe you’d keep him for me for a few days.”

  “How many few days?”

  “Just until his birthday

  “His birthday? That’s almost 2 weeks away.”

  “I know, but I don’t want to risk him getting adopted before then. Please, Beatrice Lulu.”

  “Why don’t you ask Louise if you can adopt him but keep him there? At least until the day or so before his birthday. Besides, you’re all coming here for dinner Sunday, Greg would see him.” Three dogs, the very idea. Heck, she’d never even wanted one dog. Three dogs, even for a few days, didn’t sit well with her.

  “I’ll ask her, but if she says no, will you help me out?”

  “I don’t know. Why can’t you give it to him early? Who says you have to wait until his birthday?”

  Ethel shrugged. “I guess I don’t, but it’s his birthday, it’s a surprise. It’s special. Please, Beatrice Lulu, I’d do it for you.”

  “Oh, all right, but you make sure to talk to Louise.” Why did she always give in? Just once she wished she’d stand up for herself.

  “I heard Lottie got scammed.” Ethel changed the subject.

  Typical, as soon as she got her own way, she moved on to something else. Probably so nobody had time to change their mind. One of these days, she’d say no and stick to it.

  “Can’t get anything by you. Where’d you hear that?”

  “Hank told Greg at the hardware store.”

  Beatrice Lulu laughed. “That hardware store sounds like the place for all the latest gossip.”

  “Are you going to the dog shelter tomorrow?”

  “Planning to, why?”

  “Just wondered since you have the boys now. Must be a lot of extra work.”

  “None at all. Ed set up some rules and jobs for them and so far, so good. They’re really good kids. Besides, they’re in school all day.”

  “Then I guess I’ll see you tomorrow. Oh, and thanks, I really appreciate your help.” Ethel hugged her sister.

  Just what she needed, three dogs, eve
n for a few days. Two dogs were more than enough to care for. Good thing she had Ed and the boys to help.

  After she took the second cake out of the oven, Bea decided to go for a ride. She needed to get out of the house. Without giving a thought to her appearance, she got in her car and decided to drive to church. The isolated back parking lot always provided the perfect place to contemplate her dilemmas. She parked her car and glanced in the rearview mirror. Oh no, she’d forgotten to comb her hair, the top looked like a rooster’s coxcomb. Good grief, she hadn’t even brought her purse. Not that it mattered, surely, she wouldn’t run into anyone. She just needed to think, clear her mind. The heck with how she looked. Finger combing it would have to be enough.

  She got out of the car and glanced at her clothes, cranberry leggings and green top, what a combination. Talk about a mess. So absorbed in her own thoughts, she didn’t notice the cars. Around the corner of the building, she ran smack dab into Lorna and Dave Anderson. Good thing their eyesight was failing. She nodded her hello and continued on. Suddenly, the church doors opened and what looked like Sunday morning service let out. Who were all these people, and what were they doing here?

  “Beatrice Lulu, what are you doing here?” Florence Whittaker ran over to her, quickly joined by Annabelle Jones.

  Beatrice Lulu wanted to crawl under a rock. Why didn’t the ground open and swallow her? Talk about embarrassed. “Taking a walk. I needed to be alone.”

  “Oh. Trouble with the boys?” Doreen Calhoun joined them and looked her up and down with a critical eye. “You look…harried, to say the least.”

  “No, there’s no trouble with the boys. In fact, they’re doing well. Thank you very much.” If anyone rubbed her the wrong way Doreen knew exactly how to do it. “Excuse me, ladies. I’ll be on my way.” Beatrice Lulu made a hasty retreat and bumped into Paul and Lucas Callas.

  Brushing past them, she collided with Holly Morgan and Melinda Henry and almost fell.

  “Beatrice Lulu, I just told Melinda we needed to call you.” Holly grabbed Beatrice Lulu’s arm to steady her.

  Beatrice Lulu looked from one woman to the other. Why today of all days had she run into everyone and their brother? “What’s everyone doing here today?”

  “Memorial service for Howard Jenkins, remember,” Melinda said.

  “Oh.” Of course, how could she have forgotten? She sent up a silent prayer she wouldn’t run into Pastor. That would be the epitome of humiliation. Not that he’d say anything. He’d pretend not to notice. Nicest guy she’d ever met. Worse yet, the new minister would be horrifying.

  “Listen,” Holly said. “There’s a meeting tomorrow night. We’ve just decided to form our own church council. We’ll be called Councilettes.”

  “Councilettes! Who the heck thought that up and why your own church council? What’s wrong with the one we’ve got?”

  “Nothing’s wrong with it. But several of us decided to form a group and report our concerns to church council.”

  Beatrice Lulu laughed. “Don’t we already do that?” Sometimes these women didn’t make sense. “What do you hope to accomplish?”

  “Well if you’re going to be that way about, forget it. We don’t need you.” Holly linked arms with Melinda and walked away.

  Beatrice Lulu shook her head. Strangest darn thing she’d ever heard. Thank goodness everyone had cleared out. Now she could continue her walk in peace.

  At least, that’s what she thought. Just as she turned around, the door opened and Pastor came out. Darn, she couldn’t catch a break. She smoothed her hair as best she could. It needed more than a brush, it needed washed. Badly. “Morning, Pastor.” Beatrice Lulu pasted a smile on her face. She’d get through this if it killed her. What was it Mama always said, ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’? No doubt about it, she was going to be mighty strong.

  “Beatrice Lulu, how are you today?” His lips curved upward and his eyes twinkled. She’d never seen him without a smile.

  “I’ve been better.”

  “I see.” The expression on his face changed to concern.

  Okay, if she played up the fact she had a problem, maybe, just maybe he’d forget what she looked like.

  “What’s bothering you? Care to talk about it?” He waved his hand toward the door, inviting her in. “I have some free time.”

  “Right now, I just need to think things through myself, but I appreciate the offer.”

  “Not something with the boys, I hope. You didn’t bite off more than you could chew, did you?

  Beatrice Lulu shook her head. “No, the boys are fine. Polite, well-behaved, and helpful around the house. No, no problem there.” Why did everyone think the boys were going to be trouble? Or that she and Ed couldn’t handle them?

  “Okay, if you feel the need to talk, you know how to reach me. I’ll say a prayer for you to figure it out.”

  “Thank you, Pastor. I appreciate that.”

  When he finally left, Beatrice Lulu sat on the bench in the courtyard. The only problem she had was learning to say no. She hated being manipulated by her sisters, especially Ethel.

  “I thought I’d find you here.” Jess interrupted Beatrice’s thoughts. “What’s going on, you look like hell.”

  “I just needed some time alone.”

  “Are the boys giving you a hard time?”

  “Why does everyone think the boys are giving us a hard time? No one’s even met them yet and already they’ve judged them as trouble makers.”

  “We just worry about you and Ed taking in two run-aways.”

  “They’re not your typical run-aways. The boys have been through a lot. We’ve met their uncle, too. You’ll meet them all Sunday.” Bea stood and began pacing. It irritated her that everyone thought she and Ed were crazy for taking the boys. “Ed and I aren’t stupid. We thought long and hard about taking in the boys. They’re not juvenile delinquents, Mama.”

  “No one thinks you and Ed are stupid. Everyone’s just concerned, that’s all.”

  “Did you want something?” Obviously, Jess came here for a reason.

  “Well, I was going to see if you wanted to go to the market with me,” Jess said, “but obviously, you’re not dressed for it.”

  “Thanks. I’ll pass.”

  “What did your sister do now?”

  “What makes you think my sister did anything?”

  “Ed said Ethel was over, and you left right after. If the boys didn’t upset you, then Ethel must have.”

  “It’s nothing.” Beatrice waved her hand, dismissing her mother’s concern.

  “Must be something for you to run out of the house dressed like that and your hair uncombed.”

  “Nothing, just typical manipulative Ethel.”

  “She’s always been that way. You’ve always done what she asked. On the other hand, she’s always done what you’ve asked, too. You can be just as manipulative.”

  “Not when it comes to Ethel.”

  “Beatrice Lulu, how can you say that? The two of you are two peas in a pod. What you don’t think of, she does. Now I think about it, you’re usually the ring leader.”

  “That’s not true, mama. How can you say that?”

  “Shall I make you a list?”

  Beatrice laughed. “Never mind.”

  “So, what does she want you to do this time?”

  “She’s getting a dog to surprise Greg, and wants me to watch it until his birthday.”

  “A dog? Ethel?”

  “Yes, Ethel. I think it’s more for her than Greg.”

  “Why can’t she just give it to him now?”

  “That’s what I asked, she said because it’s a surprise.”

  Jess laughed. “Wouldn’t it be just as much a surprise today as on his birthday?”

  Beatrice shrugged. “You know Ethel, when sets her mind on something no one can change it.”

  “So, you agreed to watch it?”

  “I told her to see if Louise would let her keep it there at least
until the day or so before.”

  “So, then what’s the problem? Sounds like you handled it well.”

  “Just the fact I said no and then gave in. I never wanted a dog in the first place, now we’ve got two. The thought of three, even for a few days, terrifies me.”

  “Stick to your guns, dear. Don’t give in.”

  “Thanks, Mama, I already committed. I can’t break a promise.”

  “No, you can’t. Want to change your mind and go to the market with me?”

  “I don’t think so. Not today. Thanks for asking, but I’d need to get home. I’ve got cakes to frost.” Beatrice kissed her mother’s cheek and hugged her.

  “Okay, dear. I’ll see you later. By the way, you’d better go home and change out of those shoes,” Jess looked down and laughed.

  A black shoe on her right foot and brown one on the left, could the day get any worse? Beatrice waved goodbye and hurried to her car. People must think she’d lost her mind. It was so unlike her to be so careless and unmindful of the way she looked. Not that she was vain, by any means, but she’d always been careful and neat about her appearance when she went out. Something her mama impressed on them ever since she could remember. Mama must have been appalled to see her daughter in such disarray. Unusual that she took it so well. Mama always said their appearance reflected on her.

  Chapter 12

  Mark threw his back pack across the floor and stomped into his room. Stanley picked it up and followed his brother.

  “What’s wrong with him?” Bea poured a cup of tea and offered it to Ed.

  “He didn’t say. Quietest I’ve ever heard him on the way home.”

  “You didn’t ask?” Bea poured another cup for herself and sat down at the table.

  “No, I figured when he’s ready, he’ll tell us. I hated getting grilled when I was his age.”

  “I hope you’re right and he tells us soon.” Bea picked up the cake off the counter. “I have to take this next door. Be back soon, give the boys a snack, will you? Supper’s going to be late.”

  What kind of reception would she get this time? Maybe she’d jumped the gun a bit, going there on move in day. Even though she took dinner, they were probably busy and might have planned on something else. Maybe they expected company.