Patchwork Family

by Bonnie Tharp

“That things had been different?”

  “Yeah, something like that.” Peggy took a spoonful of gelato into her mouth and closed her eyes again. “This tastes so good, it kinda makes all the other stuff go down easier. Do you know what I mean?”

  “Yes, I do. You know, people can’t always be the way we want them to be. For whatever reason, Tom couldn’t be a good dad to you kids. He was just a kid himself. But I’m thinking he wanted to be, or why would he marry your mother and have you kids?”

  Peggy shrugged and finished the last of her frozen dessert, signaling an end to the discussion.

  “Have you heard anything from or about Miles?” Regina asked.

  Playing with her spoon, Peggy looked sad. “I was so mad, I didn’t want to talk to him the last few days of school. His dad took his car and he has to do a bunch of work for his dad until the court decides what they’ll do. We know it was an accident but I just wish it never happened. I miss him.”

  Watching the young woman twirl her spoon on the tabletop didn’t conjure any words of wisdom for either of them.

  “Is there any place else you’d like to go?” Regina asked.

  “No. I think I’m ready to go home.” Peggy wiped her mouth with the napkin. “Thank you for everything. The clothes. The cell phone. For being there, both you and Sam.”

  “We’re family, honey. I’ll always be there for you.” Regina reached over and squeezed Peggy’s slender hand. “Try not to worry too much, okay.”

  “But I am. I’m worried about the kids and Gram. Megan’s quiet again, and Tad gets mad so easy. Plus Gram’s heart . . . and Miles and me . . .”

  “With a little more exercise and a healthy diet, your grandmother will be fine. We Morgans are made of tough material. You’re all Morgans, too.”

  “Yeah, but us kids are also Malones,” Peggy said with a sigh.

  Sad, but . . .

  “True, but you have to know the Morgan side is very strong.”

  “More stubborn, you mean?” Peggy smiled.

  “That, too.” Regina placed cash under the empty glass and included a generous tip.

  Walking out of the café side-by-side, both women were tall and slender. With shoulders straight and chins high, they resembled artfully mismatched bookends.

  Chapter 24

  ANNABELLE ENJOYED the new summer routine. Every morning while she walked with Tillie, Tad took Turbo out to do his business. Megan and Peggy took care of the animals’ food and water. After breakfast, they all pitched in to clean one room each day, with laundry on Monday and Friday. Afternoons were free time to read, watch television, shop, rest or go to the neighborhood pool. The older kids walked Turbo before dinner so he’d take a nap and let them eat in peace, at least in theory.

  Megan was counting the days until her cast came off and she could join them on their walks, with Ms. Pickles in tow, of course.

  The little girl was more than ready for July second, cast removal day and a Friday. Her leg was hot and itchy and smelled rotten if your nose got too close. The dog loved it, snuffling at it every chance he got and tickling her with his whiskers. The whole family planned on a ceremony with balloons and ice cream after the procedure. Megan couldn’t sit still in the doctor’s office until the saw came out. Then she and Annabelle barely breathed.

  The doctor removed the grayish purple cast with care and palpated her leg. “There you go, Megan. As good as new.”

  “It’s all skinny and white!” Megan started crying, scraping her nails up and down the offending limb. “It’s ugly and it itches.”

  He took out a cotton ball and soaked it with disinfectant, gently wiping her leg. “You’ll have it tanned and stronger in no time. Do you like to swim?”

  “No.” She carefully stood up, then staggered. Annabelle reached out to grab her, but the doctor was quicker. “It feels like it won’t hold me anymore.”

  “It’ll hold you. It’s healed just fine. Start walking a little bit at a time and I promise by the end of the summer it’ll be like new.” He patted her shoulder with a smile.

  She sniffed and hobbled out of the room. “The scar looks kinda cool where they went in to fix it.”

  Tad and Peggy sat waiting in the lobby.

  “Think of the stories you can tell.” Tad grinned at her. “You were shark bit, or you jumped out of an airplane without a parachute or . . .”

  “Tad!” Annabelle couldn’t believe her ears.

  Megan giggled. “I like reading stories better than making them up, remember? But you may have given me some ideas to think about, in case I take up writing.”

  “Looks like you won’t be running any races for a while.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest, her chin jutted out. “No, but I’ll be just fine by the end of summer. Doc said so.”

  “That’s for sure.” Peggy tucked her arm under her little sister’s and mimicked her stance. “Back off, Tadpole.”

  “Hey.” He raised his hands in surrender. “I know when I’m out-numbered.” Annabelle grinned. Nothing more needed to be said.

  On Saturday, summer hit full force and the temperatures climbed into the high nineties. The July 4th holiday weekend had arrived, and they planned to watch the fireworks by the river.

  “Do you think Turbo and Tang will be scared of the noise?” Megan asked Annabelle.

  “We’ll just have to wait and see. He and the cats can stay at home and guard the house while we’re gone. They’ll be fine. If they get scared, they can curl up together under the sofa.” Annabelle tucked another sandwich into a plastic zip lock bag.

  Megan giggled. “I don’t think Turbo will fit under the sofa.”

  “You could be right.”

  Tad waltzed into the room and ruffled Megan’s hair. “Hey, squirt, what did you do with the flashlight?”

  She batted his hand away. “It’s on my night stand, and don’t call me squirt.”

  “Been reading under the covers again, eh?” He winked at her.

  “So what? I don’t want to disturb anybody.”

  “Except maybe Peg?”

  “Nuh uh. I always turn my back to her so it doesn’t shine in her eyes.”

  “What fun is that? Are you putting that mangy kitten under the covers, too?”

  “Tang is not mangy. You’re the mangy one. Besides, she sleeps on top of my pillow, not under the covers, boy-breath.”

  Tad pushed her playfully. “That’s man-breath to you.”

  Turbo nudged his big black head between them, wagging his tail.

  Megan ran her hands over his soft fur. “Ha! Even Turbo thinks you need to back off.”

  Ruffling the dog’s ears, Tad said, “Hey, dog-breath, what do you think?”

  The dog rolled onto his back and offered up his tummy for a scratch. Both kids bent down to oblige him.

  Annabelle chuckled, shaking her head. “He’s so smart. You’re an important part of this family, now, Turbo. Yes, you are.”

  “What did the big fella do now?” Peggy asked as she entered the kitchen with Ms. Pickles close behind her.

  “Turbo just separated your brother and sister who were picking on each other.”

  “Really?” Peggy knelt down and scratched his tummy. “You’re a good boy.”

  Putting the pile on the table, Annabelle surveyed what they had gathered. “I’ve got an old quilt for us to sit on. And I’ve made ham and cheese sandwiches. There are strawberries and a thermos of iced tea.”

  “Are there any cookies?” Megan and Tad asked at the same time.

  Rolling her eyes, Peggy snorted. “Kids.”

  Annabelle spread her arms and smiled. “Of course, and deviled eggs and potato salad, too.”

  “Oh, man. I better go dig out the cooler and red wagon.” Tad slammed out the back scre
en door, heading for the carriage house.

  “I’ll get the flashlight and the bug wipes.” Megan scurried out of the room as fast as her mismatched legs would carry her.

  Holding up her contributions, Peggy smiled. “I’ve got a charge on my cell phone and the sunscreen.”

  Annabelle set the sunscreen on the pile. “You kids stay close. It gets pretty dark by the river at night.”

  Peggy stuck the cell phone in the front pocket of her shorts. “Don’t worry, Gram. We won’t stray far. Promise.” She crossed her heart and held up her palm.

  “I’m not taking my pocketbook. Just keys and cash.” Annabelle ran a hand over each pocket to double check the contents.

  The pile on the kitchen table grew monstrous from their contributions.

  “Malissa’s folks should be dropping her off any time now.” The doorbell rang and Peggy broke into a smile. “I’ll bet that’s her now.” She ran to answer it, Turbo on her heels.

  “She must be psychic.” Annabelle whispered and followed.

  Peggy opened the door to find her best friend chewing gum, one iPod earphone plugged in and one dangling. Malissa’s short black hair framed her heart shaped face and freckles sprinkled her nose. Shorter than Peggy by a good three inches, they were both lanky as colts, their bodies just beginning to curve in all the usual places.

  “Woof.” Turbo joined them in the foyer doing his famous tailspin.

  “Whoa, nice dog.” Malissa stuck out both hands to halt the eager canine. “Hey Chicky. Are you ready for some major sparks?”

  “Oh, yeah. We just need to put everything on the wagon and go.”

  Annabelle liked her granddaughter’s best friend. “Hello, Malissa.”

  “Hi, Mrs. H. Wow, have you lost weight? You look really nice.”

  Annabelle felt her cheeks heat up. “Yes, um. Thank you.”

  Leaning close to her friend, Peggy teased, “She’s been walking a lot and there’s this guy hanging around.”

  Turbo leaned against Malissa’s legs; his head swiveled up to allow her better access to scratch his velvety throat.

  “No way! Good for you, Mrs. H.” Malissa staggered then reached down and scratched the monstrous head between the ears.

  “Don’t you start telling stories, Miss Peggy. Mr. Edwards is your brother’s coach and a nice man, that’s all.”

  With a wink, Peggy and Malissa walked arm-in-arm to the kitchen while Annabelle closed the front door, turning the bolt. Turbo was right behind the girls, panting and bouncing to get their attention.

  Shaking her head, Annabelle couldn’t help but smile at the dog’s obvious enthusiasm.

  I could see myself having dinner with Phil, maybe even a movie sometime. But, he’d have to clean up his domineering act first. I’d enjoy the attention, and when he moves on I’ll wave goodbye. There’s no way Annabelle Hubbard’s falling in love again. No way at all.

  Megan had the orange kitten tucked under her arm. “Are Regina and Sam coming?”

  “Yes, they are.”

  “What about Joe and Tillie?” She stroked the tiny head. Ms. Pickles rubbed against her newly healed leg and purred. Megan reached down and scooped her up in the other arm, rubbing her chin across both of their furry heads.

  “Yes, Tillie and Joe are coming, but not the cats. We’ll have the whole group down by the river tonight. It should be great fun.”

  “Almost like a family reunion,” Peggy said. “All our favorite people will be there.”

  No one said a word about Tom.

  “They certainly will. Just like when I was a kid on the farm . . .”

  Tad slammed in the back door. “I’ve got the wagon. I even washed all the dust off.”

  “Then let’s load up.” Annabelle grabbed the food from the refrigerator.

  After dumping ice in the bottom of the cooler, the girls helped Annabelle arrange the food and drinks. Megan still had the orange kitten in her embrace, but Ms. Pickles was absent. She started toward the door.

  “Megan, the animals have to stay here.”

  The little girl sighed and set the cat on the floor.

  Everyone grabbed an armload and carried it down the back steps to load the wagon. When they were done, it was piled so high they started to laugh.

  Annabelle draped the quilt over the cooler. “We should be prepared for anything.”

  “I’ll get a couple of bungee cords,” Tad said. “We can tie everything down so it won’t topple.”

  “It looks like we’re moving out,” Peggy said. “And we probably forgot something, what do ya bet?”

  “I can’t imagine what.” Her grandmother patted the pile. “If we don’t have it, we must not need it.”

  With a smile on his face, Tad returned, red and green cords in hand. Hooking two together he was able to go from the lip of the wagon over the cooler and quilt to the other side.

  He surveyed his handiwork. “That should hold it.”

  “I’m impressed,” Malissa said.

  Pink rose in Tad’s cheeks as he looked at his sister’s friend and gave her a lopsided smile.

  He’s growing up fast. They all are. Too bad my daughter didn’t live to see this. Poor Liddy never realized she had so much to be thankful for.

  “Good job.” Annabelle patted her grandson on the back. “You kids take turns pulling it. Tad, you want to go first?”

  “Sure.” He flexed his muscles.

  They walked behind the wagon, around the house to the drive and across the street to Tillie and Joe’s. Their friends sat waiting on the porch steps.

  “Hey there everybody!” Tillie stood, brushing off the seat of her Capri’s. “You moving out?”

  Peggy laughed. “That’s what I said.”

  “How’s it going, Malissa?” Tillie asked.

  “Goin’ good. You look cute in your Life is Good tee shirt. Jake is the bomb.” Malissa gave her thumbs up.

  “That has always been my philosophy.” Tillie tugged her shirt down, smoothing the wrinkles.

  “What’s your philosophy? Chocolate rules or is it coffee?” Tad asked Tillie.

  “That life is good, silly boy!”

  “Heck, yeah. That’s no lie.” Tad did a shortened fist pump.

  “And I agree wholeheartedly.” Joe kissed the top of Tillie’s head, a very easy task with his six feet to her five.

  The females giggled, including Annabelle.

  Tillie frowned. “Where’s Regina?”

  Annabelle held her gaze. “On her way, I hope.”

  “Ever since she moved in with Sam, she’s late everywhere,” Peggy said.

  “She’s in love.” Tad dismissed the words with a flip of his arm even though he blushed.

  “Cool,” Malissa said.

  The red Cadillac convertible pulled in front of the house and honked. Sam was behind the wheel, a sight Annabelle had never seen before.

  No one drives Regina’s car but Regina. A lot has certainly changed.

  “Hey, there.” Peggy walked toward the Caddy. “You’re late!”

  Sam got out and walked around to open the door for Regina.

  Malissa whispered in her friend’s ear. “Oh man, that’s cool.”

  “So is he,” Peggy whispered back.

  Grinning, Annabelle walked across the grass toward her cousin.

  “I love your hair cut. Every time I see you without your braid, I’m stunned.”

  “I had it most of my life. Don’t you think it was time for a change?”

  “I guess so.” Annabelle smiled up at her. “Are you ready?”

  “Let me put the top up and lock the car,” Sam said.

  “I’ll help you unload your stuff.” Joe walked over to Regina who had opened the trunk.

>   “No worries. We’re traveling light these days.” She pulled out a quilt and a soft-sided cooler then shut the lid.

  “Let’s get this crowd moving before all of the good places are taken.”

  Joe took the cooler from Regina, slinging it over his shoulder.

  The clan walked through the neighborhood, crossing over the bridge to the park and the Arkansas River. The night was warm and still, thankfully. They paired up or walked in threes and talked the half-mile, taking their time for Megan’s slow gait and Tad’s oversized load.

  About a half-mile west of the Indian Center they stopped. It was a fairly open, quiet spot, so they laid out their blankets side by side. They would be able to see the fireworks at Cowtown as well as downtown from this vantage point, since the river wound around both places.

  Tad tossed a stone up in the air and caught it. “I’ve got a pocket full of stones, Megan. Want to try skipping them on the river?”

  “Sure.”

  Annabelle watched the children run toward the water.

  “Be careful, Megan.” She let out a sigh.

  “I will.” Megan called over her shoulder.

  “Tad will look out for her, Grandma Worry Wart,” Tillie said. “Besides, they won’t go far.”

  “Oh, I know. It just made my heart skip a little, that’s all.”

  “How is that old ticker of yours? Has it been behaving itself?” Tillie turned her dark eyes toward her friend, concern creasing the corners.

  “Seems to be.”

  “Good.”

  “And you’re feeling okay these days?” Annabelle watched the lines smooth out as her friend smiled in response.

  “Yup. Our walks help keep me strong and flexible.” Tillie sank into a ballet pose, flourishing her arms.

  The two friends turned to watch Sam and Regina smooth out the quilt next to them.

  They’re sweet together. It’s amazing that Regina fell so hard so late in life. She’d been alone for a very long time. Sam is a wonderful man and fits right in with the family.

  “Annabelle?” Regina startled her. “What are you day dreaming about?”

  “Just wool gathering.” She hoped the heat of her embarrassment wouldn’t show on her face. They might think she was nuts, wandering off into La-La land.