by Bonnie Tharp
“No one snores like Tad.” Tillie chuckled. “I’ve heard you. You snore like a girl.”
“Thanks, I think.” She lifted the lid off of the cookie jar only to find it filled with nothing but crumbs. Annabelle dug around in the cabinet for a granola bar. Her teeth hurt just thinking about the sugary cereals the kids liked to eat.
“What did Phil want, as if I couldn’t guess?”
“He wants to go out tonight.”
“Again?” Tillie laughed. “Why it’s only been a week since the last time? Does this mean you’ve changed your mind and you kind of . . . like him?”
Feeling her cheeks warm, Annabelle cleared her throat.
“I wouldn’t go that far. He’s fun when he’s not bossing everyone around.” Breaking off a piece of the crunchy oat bar, she popped it into her mouth. Chewing it would be too loud on the phone so she let it soften on her tongue.
“Yes. I’ve seen him at your house a few times, too.”
“Dropping Tad off doesn’t count as seeing someone unless you’re a teenager and never been kissed. I haven’t been kissed for a very long while and I’m no teenager.”
Why did I say that? Time to wake up before you say something really stupid.
“All the more reason to have a good time. We’ll watch the kids. I’ll make tacos, or Joe can grill burgers. We’ll figure it out.”
“The kids could probably stay by themselves if Peggy wasn’t grounded.”
“I saw her come home in the police car. I figured you’d tell me what happened as soon as you cooled down. I was really looking forward to our walk this morning.”
“Sorry.”
“No problem. You can tell me later. But for tonight, don’t worry. I can be very entertaining. This way they can torment us grown-ups instead of each other. Plus, I think they kind of like my cooking.”
“Tillie, everyone likes your cooking.” Annabelle smiled.
“Hey, let’s have Phil over for dinner instead.”
“No. I don’t think that’s a good idea at all. I kind of like going out to dinner once in a while. He wants to take me to the Orpheum to see an old movie.” She slid her free hand slowly down the coiled cord and back up again.
“Are you going to neck in the balcony?”
It sounded like Tillie had put her hand over the receiver, but Annabelle still heard her snickering.
“Shame on you. Of course not.”
“Then why go at all?”
Annabelle laughed at her mischievous friend before changing the subject. “Do you think I should call Tom?”
“Why?” Tillie genuinely sounded puzzled.
“He is the kids’ father. He wants to see them. Maybe Peggy is acting out or something.”
“Do you really think that’s what’s going on?”
“Not really. I don’t trust him. He was never there when Liddy or the kids needed him, always off partying. And now he’s been in jail. I don’t think my heart could handle the stress.” She put her hand on her chest, feeling the slow thump through her palm.
“I don’t know what to tell you, Belle. I’ve never had kids, but if I had I’d probably feel about the same as you. What does Regina think?”
“Believe it or not, she just says she’ll support any decision me or the kids make.” She added hot coffee to her cooling cup.
“Wow, that’s a switch. He is their father, so maybe you or Regina can be there, too.”
“I suppose. I just feel so confused. I don’t know the right thing to do.”
“Just be there for them. You’ll know what to do when the time comes, I’m sure.”
“Thanks. I’ll call Coach, I mean Phil. I don’t know what to call him.”
“Honey bunny?” Tillie snickered.
“I think I’ll call him Phil. Coach brings out the bossy side of him.” She inspected the half-eaten breakfast bar. “My husband David insisted I call him nothing but David. Not Dave or Davey or hey you. I kind of like having a choice.”
“You’ve always had choices. These are just better ones.”
“True. Thanks, Matilda Jean.”
They both laughed, hanging up the phone.
After confirming her date with Phil for 5:30, Annabelle decided to make pancakes. She got down the largest ceramic bowl to mix the batter from scratch.
Turbo liked being in the kitchen where food things happened on a regular basis. Ready for kibble, his nose sampled the air indicating he liked the smell of pancakes even better.
“If there’s any left after everyone is done, I’ll put it in your bowl.” Annabelle smiled down at the tail-churning dog.
“Woof.” Turbo sounded in acknowledgement.
Just how much he understood, Annabelle didn’t know, but he sure seemed to know a lot of English for a canine. How could anyone get rid of such a smart animal? She rubbed his ear then washed her hands to resume breakfast preparations. She personally liked warmed syrup and bacon with her pancakes. The aroma of cooked bacon reminded her of Sunday mornings with Grandma Morgan. No doubt Tad would wake up when the smell reached the second floor.
Before she’d completed the thought she heard feet pounding on the stairs. She smiled when the bed-headed boy entered the doorway.
“What smells so good? Pancakes? Bacon? What’s up, Gram? What are we celebrating? Is it someone’s birthday?” He helped himself to a glass of orange juice.
“I just felt like making breakfast, that’s all.”
“Man, it’s late. Don’t worry, the girls were getting up when I came down.”
Looking over her shoulder, she smiled. “That’s good. Now set the table.”
“I get the first batch, don’t I?”
“I think that’s fair. And let’s save some of the last batch for Turbo.”
Laying out the silverware in haphazard fashion, Tad grabbed the plates, glasses and set them all around.
“Don’t forget the peanut butter, Tadpole.” Megan said, as she walked into the kitchen.
“I won’t.” He set the jar of creamy peanut butter down in front of her plate, grabbing the crunchy for himself.
“Don’t all those nuts make your pancakes taste weird?” She wrinkled her nose in disgust.
“Nah. I like the different textures. Tillie taught me that.”
“Oh.” Megan reached across the table. She used her clean fork to dollop a little crunchy onto her plate. “Maybe I’ll give it a try then.”
Sliding into her chair, Peggy sipped her juice, but didn’t say a word.
Tad dug into his cakes. His eyes closed with bliss.
Annabelle grinned and flipped another pancake onto each of their plates.
“Good morning, sunshines.”
“You’re weird, Gram.” Tad said with his mouth full.
“Thank you.”
“Isn’t that in a movie?” Megan asked. “The mother always says rise and shine and the son says he’ll rise but he won’t shine.”
Pausing with her spatula in the air, Annabelle tipped her head. “I don’t know.”
“It’s a story about a girl and her glass animals. We’re reading it in English class.” Peggy grabbed a piece of bacon before her brother could nab them all.
Annabelle enjoyed the homey sounds of forks clanking on plates. She started to hum while she cooked another batch of pancakes.
“What’s that song?” Megan asked.
“It’s a record my mother used to play years ago. I don’t think I ever knew the name, but it makes me think of her.”
“What’s a record?” Megan asked.
“Oh my.” Annabelle turned to her grandchildren and shook her head. “It’s like a big CD that’s played on a turntable with a needle. I think I read somewhere that they are making a comeback.”
> Tad nodded. “That’s right. They’re reissuing old records, but I’m not sure it will catch on. They’re much bigger than a CD, and you need the right kind of equipment and stuff.”
Peggy ate in silence, pouting between bites.
“Do they scratch as easy as CD’s?” Megan asked.
“I don’t know,” Tad said. “I like CD’s. But when I get my own iPhone, I’ll just download the music I buy.”
“An eye what?” Annabelle asked.
Tad cupped his hands over his ears, bobbing his head. “You know, you listen to music with ear buds attached to your cellphone.”
“Oh, yes. I’ve seen the commercials. Maybe Santa will bring one for Christmas. We could all share it.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, Peggy scowled.
Tad laughed and poked his older sister. “Peggy probably won’t use ear buds that have other people’s ear wax on them, Gram. That’s gross!”
Megan rolled her eyes. “There’s no such thing as Santa Claus.”
Tad and Peggy looked at Annabelle, but didn’t say a word.
“Don’t you believe in magic?” Annabelle watched her youngest granddaughter.
“You mean like Harry Potter magic?”
Annabelle nodded. “Sure. Like when special things happen that no one can explain?”
Megan shrugged her shoulders. “I guess.”
“Personally, I believe in magic. Santa is magic. You don’t want to chance it and have him not show up because you don’t believe, do you?”
“Well, no, but Gram, he’s fat. He can’t fit in all those chimneys . . .”
“There are a lot of things in this world that we can’t explain.” Annabelle resumed eating.
The children watched her for a moment then finished eating as well. There was one pancake left. Turbo got all but the little bit that Megan pinched off for each cat, which were curled up on the rag rug together.
“Tad, you clear the table. Girls, you load the dishwasher.” Annabelle sipped the last of the coffee.
Peggy sighed.
“By the way, I’ve got a date tonight. Tillie has offered to make tacos or burgers. You kids get to choose.”
“Ah, come on, Gram. Not Coach Edwards, again!” Tad slammed the cabinet door.
Peggy poked her brother. “We don’t need a sitter.”
Annabelle ignored Peggy’s remark.
Dropping into the chair beside his grandmother, Tad stretched out his long legs. “If I’m going to continue to be humiliated by my grandmother, then I want tacos.”
“I want burgers,” Megan said.
“Then I want burgers, too.” Peggy stuck her tongue out at her brother.
“I’ll let Tillie and Joe know.” Annabelle called her friends across the street.
ANNABELLE DIDN’T mind the crowded restaurant. She enjoyed the quiet voices accompanied by the tinkling of glassware. Especially when someone else was doing the cooking and the cleaning.
Phil touched her hand. “Hello, where are you?”
“Oh, sorry. I was thinking how nice it is to be waited on.” She felt her cheeks warm.
“Me, too. I’m not much of a cook, and you’re a very nice dinner companion.”
“I haven’t bored you with all my stories about the kids and animals, yet?”
“Not at all. It’s like being there when you tell me stories about your family. I like it. It’s way too quiet at my house.” He watched Annabelle as he spoke, ignoring the bustle around them.
“Maybe you should get a dog.” Annabelle sipped her water.
I need to keep my wits about me. One minute he sets my teeth on edge, the next, my knees melt.
“Oh, I don’t know. Martha always had little dogs. I never felt like they were mine to enjoy.”
“Turbo certainly isn’t small. Why don’t you come over for dinner sometime and see what you think of having a big dog around? Of course, you have to be willing to put up with the shedding, paw prints and slobbers all day and night. We also have two cats that hide when people come to visit. Perhaps a kitten would better.”
They gave their orders to the waiter and sipped their iced tea. Annabelle glanced around the room but doubted she’d see anyone she knew. Phil touched her hand.
“I’ve never had a cat, even growing up. My dad didn’t like them. Martha was allergic.” He keeps staring at me. I wonder if I have lipstick on my teeth.
“We always had critters on the farm. I can’t imagine a home without pets. We had an indoor cat, several barn cats and a couple of dogs that herded our few cows around. My mother loved animals. She didn’t even mind when I brought home a turtle or horned toad. It was more like a menagerie than a working farm. She drew the line at snakes, though. Frankly, they just aren’t what I’d call a pet.”
Their salads were placed in front of them, so they paused to put napkins on their laps and taste the food. The mildly spiced vinaigrette was a delightful addition.
“I have to agree. One of the boys on the basketball team had a pet boa constrictor once, but he told me it got lost. They never found it before they moved.”
“Oh, my.” Putting down her fork, Annabelle frowned. “Can you imagine moving into a new house and finding a snake already lives there?” She patted her heart. “I don’t think I could live in a house with a snake.”
“Neither could I.”
Damn, but he can be charming sometimes.
When their steaks came, they ate the first bite in silence.
“This is the most tender steak I think I’ve ever eaten. We don’t eat much steak at our house. With a growing boy around, we go more for quantity than quality.” Annabelle dabbed the corners of her mouth with her napkin.
“I’m happy you’re enjoying it. I like a good piece of beef, but they’re so pricy these days. I’ll give you a tip. Always check the meat markdowns first. That’s where you’ll find a decent priced steak.”
Phil sat back in his seat and smiled at her.
“Shall we head to the theater?”
“Yes. Thank you for dinner.”
He squeezed her hand. “My pleasure.”
WHEN THE MOVIE was over, Phil and Annabelle walked to the car, hand in hand. It was a cool night. The starlit Kansas sky was clear of clouds. The occasional car that passed them on Broadway ignored. Annabelle enjoyed the quietness of the night and her companion.
“What’s your favorite part of the movie?”
“I like it all, but when he says, “Here’s looking at you, kid.” I get goose bumps. I’ve heard it a thousand times, but I love it.”
“Here’s looking at you, kid.” Phil kissed her hand.
Oh no. What’s happening here? I’m too old for this romantic stuff, but it feels so nice.
She let him open the car door. She couldn’t say a word. David had never been affectionate let alone chivalrous. She couldn’t recall them ever going out for dinner and a movie, there’d never been any time or money for that sort of thing. It felt good to be close to a man. He had an infectious smile, nice manners, once you got past the whole know-it-all routine. He even smelled good, like Old Spice. Annabelle enjoyed having an adult companion. Being with the opposite sex was nice, too.
They drove through the park on the way home. Moonlight danced like huge fireflies on the black water. Trees masked the streetlights, hiding them in darkness. She felt like they were the only two people around. The night air smelled sweet like new mown grass. The breeze cooled her warm skin. Phil pulled the car up into the drive. The lights were on in the house. She could see the blue glow of the television behind the curtains.
“Thanks again for a wonderful evening, Phil.”
“I’ll walk you to the door.”
He got out then gave her his hand to help her out. He escorted her up
the walk to the porch.
“I love this old house.” He smiled, looking around. “And the roses.”
“Me, too. It’s been in our family a hundred years.”
“It suits you.” He opened the screen door. They stood facing one another.
Her heartbeats filled her ears and her chest.
I hope I’m not having another heart attack.
“It’s old fashioned. Like me, I guess.”
“It’s beautiful, warm, and comfortable, like you.”
At least he didn’t imply I am as big as a house, like David would’ve done.
“Goodness, thank you.” Annabelle could feel warmth climb from her throat to the top of her head.
Phil kissed her cheek then released her. “Good night, Belle.”
“Good night.”
Uh, oh. Now I’m in trouble, but Lord it feels good all over. I’d better nip it. No lovie stuff for me. I’m too old, with too many bad memories. He’ll have to understand I just want to be friends. That’s it. That’s all. The end? I hope not. I’m a mess.
Chapter 34
PEGGY CLOSED THE door to her bedroom and flipped the lock. Her little sister was busy watching a movie with Tad. Hopefully, they wouldn’t even notice her absence. Tillie and Joe were in the kitchen with Gram. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed Malissa.
“Hey, girl.”
“Hey.”
“I need you to help me with something next week.”
“Sure. What’s up?”
Her hands were sweaty, but Peggy had made up her mind.
“I need you to cover for me so I can go downtown and see my father.”
“What?” Malissa’s voice had gone up an octave.
That’s not exactly the response I thought she’d give, but I’ll go with it.
“Yeah. He’s working at Jenny’s Diner and I want to talk with him.”
“No way. You’ll get caught and you’re already grounded. How are you going to get there?”
“Bus. I checked the schedules. If I go right after school I can get a bus home by dinner time.”
“You’re grounded, remember?”
“Not from school. I’ll just say you and I have a project to work on in the library.”