by Bonnie Tharp
Pulling the covers back, she stripped down to her under things and pulled a cotton gown over her head. It was the coolest thing she had to wear. The air conditioner was struggling to cool the house since the front door had been open for the last hour. She wondered who the culprit was, but she didn’t know what to do about it if she did.
Maybe we should get an alarm. No, they cost too much. Turbo will be our alarm. I’ll think about it tomorrow. Not tomorrow; it’s already tomorrow.
Her eyes closed and she slowed her breathing, exhausted.
The mantel clock struck two and she sighed. She had to get to sleep, to gather her strength for whatever lay ahead. Her thoughts wandered to Phil. She didn’t know how she felt about him. She couldn’t really afford a handyman and Tad didn’t have the experience needed to glaze a window. Maybe she’d ask Phil to help fix it. He seemed handy. If not, Joe would surely help out. Of course he would, that was what friends did.
Annabelle rolled out of bed and went to her knees. She said the Lord’s Prayer and gave thanks that everyone was safe. She said it every night before she went to sleep, but tonight what she really meant to say was, thanks. Saying amen and crossing herself, she crawled back into the bed and fell instantly to sleep.
Chapter 26
“JOE, WHAT IS IT?” Peggy asked. She turned the small canister around in her fingers, inspecting the spray nozzle.
Covering the sprayer with his hand, Joe pushed her arm down. “Don’t point it toward your face,” Joe said. “It’s mace.”
“Mace? Why on earth would Peggy need mace?” Annabelle asked.
“I’ve got one for you, too, Annabelle.”
“No way I’m carrying that.” Peggy tried to hand it back to Joe, but he wouldn’t take it.
“Tillie carries her cell in one pocket and mace in the other when she walks.”
“Why do I need one? No one would want anything from a middle aged lady like me, surely?”
“For safety. It’ll help protect you against dogs or whatever,” Joe said.
“But why do I need one?” Peggy held the small spray canister with two fingers.
Joe threw up his hands. “Because you’re dating and you and your friend are out alone sometimes. It pays to be protected.”
Turning it around, Peggy held it up by the key ring. “How does it work?”
“You point it at the face of the person you want to stop, push the button then run as fast as you can in the opposite direction.”
“Won’t it just piss them off?” Peggy asked.
“Yes, but it burns like crazy. It’s just to be safe. That’s why I got you the little half-ounce bottles. They’re pocket sized.”
“I don’t think Malissa has one of these. Maybe it’ll be good to have protection from muggers in the park,” Peggy said. “It kinda creeps me out, though, you know?”
Annabelle’s hand flew to her heart. “There are muggers in the park?”
Tipping her head to the side, Peggy looked at her grandmother. “You know what I mean, Gram.”
“Actually, I hope I don’t.” She relaxed a bit.
“I want all my girls safe,” Joe said.
Oh, Lord, I don’t want to think about this. With the break-ins on the block, though, everyone should be more careful.
She felt the tension in her chest building again. “You didn’t get one for Megan, did you?”
“No, she’s too small to carry one around,” he said.
“I’ll talk to her about it so she’ll know it can be dangerous. I’ll warn Tad, too.” Annabelle fingered the ring that held the canister. “We don’t want any accidents.”
“Agreed,” he said.
“Gram?” Peggy clipped the ring on her purse strap.
“What, honey?”
“A bunch of us are planning on going to a movie at the mall tonight. Can I go?”
Studying her granddaughter’s face, Annabelle asked, “Who all is going?”
Peggy hid behind her bangs. “Malissa, me, Beau and Miles.”
Ahuh. That’s what I thought. I wondered when or if she’d start dating Miles again. He meant so much to her before the accident.
“Like a double date?”
“Malissa’s mom said she’d drive us there and pick us up after.”
Forcing her face from betraying her concern, Annabelle realized she couldn’t protect the kids from everything. They had to live and learn. “That’s fine, then.”
“Good opportunity to carry your new little bottle of protection,” Joe said.
The young woman’s eyes narrowed. “I’d never mace Miles.”
The soldier in Joe showed through, in his straight back and firm jaw. “I would hope not, but you can’t be too safe.”
Peggy looked from Joe to Annabelle and back again. “You guys are so old!”
Joe’s cheeks turned red, making his shiny gray hair stand out even more.
He really is handsome.
“Never you mind. You know what he means, young lady.”
Peggy smiled. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“I just hope you never need it,” he said.
“Me, either. I have to get ready. See you later.” Dashing up the stairs to her bedroom, Peggy shut the door.
“She’ll be fine, Annabelle.”
“I think so, too—most of the time. Thank you, Joe, for caring so much about us.”
Joe chuckled and left Annabelle gazing after his retreating figure.
What a lovely man. Tillie’s a lucky lady and so are we. I’m a bit nervous about Miles. He’s avoided us since the accident. Maybe things will be easier now that Megan is out of the cast.
They fixed frozen pizzas for dinner. Before Peggy dashed out the door she grabbed a quick piece of Tad’s and laughed. “You don’t need to hog the whole thing.”
“I’m a growing boy,” he said with his mouth full.
“Gross.” A car horn honked and Peggy waved goodbye.
The last piece of Annabelle and Megan’s pizza lingered on the counter a little too long, so Tad made it disappear. The two younger siblings put their plates in the dishwasher and ran upstairs leaving their grandmother behind. She wiped down the table and counters, started the dishwater and checked the lock on the back door before turning off the lights.
The lamp in the parlor cast a soft inviting glow. Annabelle sat down in the rocking chair and picked up her crocheting, feeling content.
An hour passed by before she realized it. The silence had gone on long enough. She replaced her yarn project in the basket that sat beside the chair and got up.
As Annabelle turned toward the stairs, she saw an orange flash cross the floor to the banister. The kitten peeked around the spindle and mewed.
“Well, what have we here?” She scooped her hand under the kitten’s fuzzy belly and tucked her against her chest. “What do you say we go upstairs and see what Tad, Megan and Ms. Pickles are up to? They’ve been quiet a long time.”
The kitty purred and pawed at her chin.
“We’d better check on Turbo, too.”
“Mew.”
The familiar creak was a comfort as she climbed the old stairs. Age wasn’t such a bad situation. After all, things improved with age like wine and cheese and people, too, mostly. People grew softer, inside and out. Living made a person feel things deeper and overreact less.
“Don’t go getting philosophical. You don’t have enough education to pull that one off, even if you’ve done some living in your sixty-seven years. Good grief, I’m talking to myself, again.” Annabelle shook her head with a sigh.
She approached Tad’s bedroom and heard the murmur of voices. With a tap she waited a moment before opening the door. The dog’s big black nose filled the crack before she could enter.
&
nbsp; “You kids want to watch a movie with me?”
The two youngest were seated cross-legged on the bed, a Scrabble board between them. Ms. Pickles curled up beside Megan’s weak leg.
“I suppose,” Tad said. “What do you want to see?”
Megan poked her brother. “You can’t quit now, I’m winning.”
“Are not.”
“Think you could stand to watch an old timey film?”
“What? Like John Wayne?” Tad asked.
“I like old movies. Sure, Gram, let’s watch The Quiet Man again.” Megan bounced and the wooden disks slid off the board.
Tad gave his little sister a gentle poke. “No, thanks. How about one of his westerns? Nothing black and white, though, they’re too old.”
Always the peacekeeper, Annabelle smiled. “Let’s go see which DVD is handy and watch that one. Anyone want popcorn?”
Woof. Turbo added his vote.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Annabelle handed the kitten to Megan and scooped up Ms. Pickles. “Clean up your game and meet me in the parlor as soon as you’re done.”
“Dibs on the couch,” Tad said.
THE KIDS SLID the wooden squares into the box and folded the board, setting it on top.
“Do you think she heard anything?” Megan cuddled her kitten close.
“No, I don’t think so. But you need to tell her.”
“I can’t. Gram’s been so worried since the house got broken into.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, Tad said, “If you don’t tell her, I will.”
The little girl’s brown eyes filled with tears. She stared at her brother.
He relaxed his arms and put the lid on the box. “Don’t worry. I’ll stay with you when you tell her.”
She gave her older brother a grateful smile. “Okay. Thanks.”
WHEN PEGGY GOT home at ten-thirty that night, Megan and Annabelle were asleep on the sofa. Tad sat in the rocking chair, eating the old maids from the popcorn bowl while watching the television with the sound off. Turbo watched her move into the room while his tail thumped the floor.
“Whatcha watching?” Peg dropped her purse on the floor beside the couch.
“Hellfighters.” Tad tossed the last piece of popcorn to Turbo, who caught it in the air.
“How come the sound is off?”
He tipped his head toward the sofa. “Didn’t want to disturb the ladies.”
“May as well wake them up and send them to bed, don’t you think?”
“I guess.” He set the now empty bowl on the coffee table.
“Is this what you did all night, watch movies and eat popcorn?”
“Pretty much.” Her brother scowled at her. “From the looks of your face I’d say you’ve been making out all night. Was it Miles?”
Peggy’s hand covered the lower portion of her face, but she could feel the heat flow all the way up to her hairline.
He stared at her then shrugged. “Take Megan up, and I’ll wake Gram.”
“Thanks.” Peggy crossed the room and slid her sister’s arms around her neck, then braced her own arms under the little girl’s bottom. “Come on, sweetie, let’s get you to bed.”
“Huh. Peggy? I’m sleepy.”
Staggering under Megan’s weight, Peggy paused. “I know. Why don’t you see if you can walk up the stairs? You’re getting too big for me to carry.”
“Okay.” Megan slid her feet to the floor. “You smell good, like perfume and popcorn.”
“You’re half asleep.” Peggy kissed her sister’s cheek.
“What about Gram?”
“Tad will help her.” The girls stumbled to the stairs.
“H’okay. Got to tell, but don’ want to.”
Scowling, Peggy asked, “Tell what?”
“Can’t find Gram’s pearls. Lost ’em. She’ll be mad.”
Peggy helped her little sister into their room and over to the bed. She pulled the covers back and watched Megan curl up in a ball on the clean sheets, pulling her stuffed dog under her chin. The orange kitten hopped up on the bed and circled behind the crook of Megan’s knees before settling to sleep.
What did she mean about Gram’s pearls? Megan never played with Gram’s jewelry. All Gram has is cheap costume stuff and those pearls Grandmother Morgan gave her when she died. I have more jewelry than Gram. I’ll ask Megan about it tomorrow when she’s awake. She must be dreaming.
Chapter 27
“HELLO! ANYBODY home?” Bright as the morning sunshine, Regina called from the back door. “Annabelle?”
She listened to the silence. Everyone must still be asleep or already gone.
The clock struck eight. Regina smiled at the tidy kitchen. Things had improved. Maybe the kids were helping out around the house after all. As she walked through the formal dining room she saw the parlor was more in keeping with her expectations. Pillows, empty bowls and glasses were strewn all over the room, every flat surface covered in clutter of one form or another. There were no signs of dust, however, so maybe there’s hope for her cousin’s family yet.
“Hello?” Regina called out again.
A door upstairs slammed and footsteps thudded on the floor above.
She heard a distinctive woof and what could only have been a curse. When Regina stepped from the parlor into the entryway she came face to face with a spike-haired Annabelle whose pink chenille robe hung half off of one shoulder, while she struggled to tie the belt.
“Regina? What on earth? Is everything all right?”
“Good morning, slug-a-bed.” Regina fought a smile. “I didn’t honestly believe you were still asleep at this hour. You’ve always been such an early riser.”
Obviously flustered, Annabelle finally succeeded in tying the belt around her middle and puffed out a big breath. “We had a late night and didn’t expect company.”
“So I see.” Her cousin inclined her head toward the parlor. “And what happened to the front window?”
“We had a break-in. I was going to call you this morning. Don’t worry, the leaded glass is on order and I’ll take care of it.”
Regina did a quick scan of the room. “I thought maybe the kids got a little rowdy . . . is everyone okay? Was anything stolen?”
“We’re fine. Nothing was taken.” Annabelle’s bare feet slapped across the wooden floor as she started righting the parlor. “You usually call before you come by.” She folded the throw and laid it on the back of the sofa and tossed the pillows at each armrest. Setting the dirty glasses into the two large bowls Annabelle turned to her cousin.
“Would you like a cup of coffee? I could use some.”
“Thank you, I would.” Following her into the kitchen, Regina took a seat at the table and watched her cousin put the dishes in the dishwasher then fill the carafe with water.
“How are you feeling?”
Her older cousin’s reply was clipped. “Fine.”
“And the kids?”
“Doing well.” Turning toward her cousin, she threw out her arms. “Why are you here?”
“My, aren’t you blunt in the morning?”
She’s obviously half asleep. I ought not to bait her this way, just because things are a mess in my house and hers.
“I guess I’m still a little tired. Is everything all right?”
Smoothing her skirt, Regina shook her head. “Actually, no. Sam and I had an argument.”
Annabelle leaned her hip against the counter and watched the coffee fill the pot. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“There’s nothing for you to be sorry about. I was wide-awake and restless. The car just drove itself here.”
Annabelle pulled two cups out of the cabinet and filled them with the aromatic liquid.
“Thi
s should help us both, then.” Setting the cups on the table, Annabelle sat down.
“If you must know . . .”
Taking a sip from her coffee, Annabelle tried to smooth her messy hair. “I don’t have to know.”
“We fought about this house.”
“Really? Then I am sorry.” Her back became ram rod straight. “When do you want us to leave?”
“No, no. You misunderstand.” Regina reached across the table for her cousin’s hand, which was quickly withdrawn. She leaned back.
This isn’t going well at all.
“All right, then. Can you afford the upkeep on this house? The taxes?”
“Minor things we can manage, but I’m not sure about the taxes.” Annabelle blew in her cup. “They’re due now aren’t they?”
“Yes, and unless you have a couple of thousand dollars stuffed in your brassier I’m thinking you can’t afford it on Social Security.”
Annabelle clenched her jaw. “Two thousand? No. I can’t.”
Sipping the heady brew, Regina watched the discomfort pass across her cousin’s face before she continued. Regina gazed into her cup and seeing no answers in the dark surface, she sighed.
“Sam thinks I should deed the house over to you, but then you’d be stuck with the tax burden if I do. He wants to marry me and says he’s worried that if I’m not shed of this house I’ll always feel I have an out.”
Frowning, Annabelle cradled her cup in both hands. “Do you need an out?”
“I don’t think so.” Regina looked into her cousin’s eyes.
Will she think my offer is charity and refuse? All I can do is toss the idea out there and watch her reaction.
“I could put enough money in trust to cover the taxes for the next ten years. By then, the kids will be old enough to care for it if something happens to one of us.”
Conflicting emotions crossed Annabelle’s face. “Is that what you want to do?”
“I think it is . . .”
They sipped in silence for a few moments, collecting their thoughts.