Patchwork Family

by Bonnie Tharp

  “Hey, Regina,” Tad said, out of breath. “What’cha doing?”

  She started, laughing to cover her discomfort. “Stealing the family jewels, of course.”

  “Good luck with that. I’m thinking Gram won’t be taking off her pearls for the rest of her life. I wouldn’t be surprised if she sleeps in them.”

  Walking back to the porch, Regina smiled at him. “I’m glad they’re found.”

  “We found them together.”

  “But I remembered, too.” Megan caught up with them and her big brother ruffled her hair.

  “Woof,” Turbo added. Regina reached down and gave him a scratch.

  “Where were they?” She asked, walking up the steps.

  “In a box in the attic,” Tad said.

  Regina stumbled and Tad caught her arm.

  “Getting clumsy in your old age?”

  “I’m fine, thank you. These are new shoes, that’s all.”

  “I put the pearls in an old marble bag I found,” Megan said.

  Stopping in front of the door, Regina turned. “You found Grandfather’s marble bag? It’s been lost for years.”

  “I found it in a box, and I put the pearls in there, to keep them safe.”

  Chuckling, Regina said, “I’ll be damned. He made that bag you know; sewed it himself. Those old marbles are probably worth money, too.”

  “They’re really cool,” Tad said. “There’s even a couple that look like they’re made of wood.”

  “They were. Those were his father’s and they’re really old.”

  “Awesome.”

  “You take good care of them, young man. They’re heirlooms.”

  Crossing his heart with his index finger, Tad held open the door. “I promise I will. I think it’s cool to have one of my great, great-grandfather’s things.”

  “I think so, too.” Regina led them into the house.

  Good to know that he’s interested in special family objects. Maybe my gifts will be appreciated after all.

  Chapter 39

  AFTER THE GLORIOUS dinner had been devoured, the adults sat around the table drinking coffee. The kids were in the parlor watching a movie.

  “Have you set a date?” Tillie asked.

  “Yes, we have,” Regina said. “December twenty-first.”

  “The winter solstice. How perfect!” Tillie said.

  Annabelle nodded. “And the shortest day of the year.”

  “I know. It was Sam’s idea.” Leaning toward her fiancé, Regina gave Sam’s arm a tender squeeze.

  “Why, Sam, you old romantic,” Tillie said.

  “That’s me!” Sam winked at her.

  “Oh, there is one more thing,” Regina said.

  She and Sam exchanged a smile. Regina got up from the table, taking the envelope from the inside pocket of his jacket. She handed it to Annabelle then sat back down, pulling her chair closer to her cousin.

  “Open it.”

  The plain brown envelope gave nothing away. Annabelle slowly pulled open the flap, taking out the stack of papers from inside. As she began to read, her eyebrows rose up her forehead. The color drained from her face. She looked at her cousin as tears slipped down her cheeks.

  “Don’t sit there blubbering. Tell me what it says,” Tillie said.

  “It says . . .” Annabelle pulled the tissue from her pocket and blew her nose.

  “Elegant,” Regina said.

  “Oh, shut up,” Tillie responded. “Did she give you walking papers? If she did, I’ll kick her butt.”

  “Calm down, Little Bit,” Joe said. “Those look like tears of joy.”

  “The taxes . . .” Annabelle couldn’t finish.

  “Do you want me to tell them?” Regina asked.

  Annabelle nodded, wiping her eyes. “Please.”

  “It’s just a little trust to cover the taxes and insurance on this house so she won’t have to worry about it anymore.”

  “Way cool!” Peggy said from the doorway.

  “For how long?” Tillie asked.

  “Until Megan is eighteen. That way, the kids will have a home until they’re old enough to make one for themselves.” Regina smoothed her skirt.

  “Well, I’ll be damned. Regina Louise, I’m proud of you.” Tillie hugged Annabelle.

  “Congratulations. No more worries, eh?”

  You’ve still got some years of teen angst to get through, my dear cousin, but you’ll be able to do it with a roof over your heads.

  “At least, no more worries about the house.” Regina gave Annabelle a wink.

  Taking Tillie’s hand, Annabelle tugged her toward Regina’s chair. They stood before her, smiling.

  “Group hug!” The two ladies engulfed Regina in their arms.

  The kids joined in.

  “I’m a human blanket,” Tad said, lying on top of Regina.

  “You’re crushing me.” Regina gave a theatrical gasp for effect.

  “That’s the idea,” Tad said.

  With deliberate slowness, each of them extracted themselves from Regina’s embrace. When she was clear of all the bodies, she smoothed her skirt and tugged her sleeves.

  The kids went back into the parlor to continue watching the movie, while Joe and Sam stacked the dirty dishes and took them into the kitchen.

  Tillie and Annabelle joined them, leaving Regina sitting alone at the table, a goofy grin on her face.

  “Well, Grandmere,” she whispered. “I’m very thankful, today. This family is going to be fine.”

  Regina stood and followed after her family, dirty dishes in hand.

  HAPPY THAT THE kitchen was clean and the leftover food stored away, Annabelle followed as they all gathered in the parlor to watch It’s A Wonderful Life for the umpteenth time. The kids were sprawled on the floor with the animals. Tillie and Joe had gone home, taking half of a pumpkin pie with them. Sam and Regina sat on the couch while Annabelle crocheted in her favorite chair.

  “What are you making, Gram?” Megan asked.

  “Hanger covers just like my mother used to make.” Annabelle held up the long rope of yarn that didn’t look like much of anything yet.

  “We need more of those.” Peggy poked her little sister. “Now that Megan is wearing nicer clothes, she’s stealing all of them.”

  “Am not!”

  “Are, too.”

  “Grandmere used to make those. They’re perfect for silk blouses,” Regina said. “Might Santa bring me some this year?”

  “You have been very good. He just might,” Annabelle said. She dropped her hands into her lap then scanned the room.

  Sam gave Regina’s hand a squeeze, whispering in her ear. “I love you.”

  Feeling a blush coming, Annabelle dropped her eyes, but only for a moment.

  Regina kissed Sam’s cheek and returned the squeeze. “Ditto.”

  “I know what that means.” Peggy addressed the couple on the sofa. “I’ve seen Ghost ten times.”

  “Shhhh. The movie’s back on,” Tad said. “I love it when they fall in the pool.”

  “You would.” Peggy slouched back against the couch, rubbing the cats flanking her on either side. Her little sister sprawled on the sleeping dog, her head moving slowly up and down with his breathing.

  For a while they watched the movie in silence, allowing the food to settle. Tad hadn’t even asked for popcorn. Annabelle wanted to absorb the love and closeness she felt into every pore of her body. When the phone rang she set aside her yarn project and went into the kitchen to answer it.

  “Hello.”

  “Happy Thanksgiving, Belle,” Phil said.

  “Happy Thanksgiving to you. Did you have a nice holiday?”

  “I did. My sister and her
clan had enough food for an army. The boys and I watched football. They’ll always be boys to me even though they’re both in college and a foot taller than their uncle.”

  “What more could a man ask for?”

  “The only thing missing was you.”

  Stunned into silence, Annabelle wasn’t sure how to proceed, so she ignored his comment.

  “We had a house full here, but there’s always room for one more. You know you’re welcome.”

  Where did that come from? I better get myself together or I’ll have an unwanted man on my hands.

  “Since Sis had already asked, I didn’t have the heart to back out.”

  “I’m sure she appreciated you being there to keep the boys out from under foot.”

  “I enjoy them. They’re a great bunch of guys. With any luck, they’ll grow up to be as nice as their father. My baby sister did all right with Matt. He’s a good one.”

  “I’m glad. What are you doing for dinner tomorrow night? Want to come over for leftovers?”

  Lord. Am I crazy or what? Maybe he’ll say no.

  “Warmed over turkey, potatoes and gravy? Or sandwiches?”

  “Are you choosey?”

  “Not really, just curious. I love them both.”

  Don’t friends feed friends? We do that with Tillie and Joe all the time. As Grandma Morgan used to say, in for a penny, in for a pound.

  “Warm stuff, then sandwiches for Saturday lunch. By then I’d say most everything would be gone.”

  “Any pie left?”

  “Of course, we made plenty.”

  “Done. What time?”

  “About six?”

  “Is there anything else I can bring? Like bread? I plan on making a couple of loaves in the bread-maker.”

  “You make bread? We love fresh bread. Thanks for the offer. See you tomorrow?”

  “Until then.”

  Annabelle hung up the phone smiling.

  He really could be charming.

  She went back into the living room to resume her seat. All eyes were on the television. She picked up her yarn and needle.

  “Who was that?” Peggy asked.

  “Yeah, you were gone a long time,” Tad said.

  “Your boyfriend?” Megan asked, wagging her eyebrows.

  The girls giggled. Annabelle could feel a flush coming on. “That was Phil.”

  “Oh, no. Not coach, again!” Tad held his stomach, rolling on the floor.

  Regina laughed. “Why, Annabelle, are you dating Tad’s basketball coach? He’s a little old for you, isn’t he?”

  “Assistant coach, actually.” Tad sat back up, since his little antics went unnoticed. “Coach Edwards is retired and helps out. Everyone’s called him Coach, like forever. I didn’t know his name was Phil until he started being friends with Gram. It’s way weird.”

  “Get over it,” Peggy said.

  “Yeah, let Gram have a little fun, why don’t you?” Megan said.

  “I think you’re out-numbered, Tad.” Sam smiled at the boy.

  “Better get used to it.” Regina leaned back against Sam’s broad shoulder.

  “I give up!” The young man lifted his hands in surrender. “Can we make popcorn?”

  “The movie is almost over. Why don’t we skip it tonight?” Annabelle said.

  “But I’m hungry.”

  “How can you be hungry after the feast we had this afternoon?” Sam asked. “Even I’m still full.”

  “That was hours ago. Come on, Gram, please!” Walking on his knees, Tad leaned on his grandmother’s lap and gave her a doe-eyed look.

  “I think it’s time you learned how to make it yourself.” Annabelle put aside her crocheting once again, heading into the kitchen to assist.

  Regina followed her. “Need a hand?”

  “No, we’ll be fine.” Annabelle got out the Pop Master popcorn popper. She watched Tad pour in the oil and added the kernels. Regina got a glass from the cabinet.

  When it started to pop vigorously, she leaned over and whispered to Annabelle.

  “Have you heard anything from Tom?”

  “Not lately, and Peg’s quit asking when she can see him. I think something is up.”

  “Interesting. Any idea what?”

  “No, but I’m curious what’ll happen next.” Annabelle turned her back on Tad. “A little worried, too, about how his being back will affect our lives.”

  “The kids will be fine. They’re tough. You’ve been good for them. You’ve all been good for each other. I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

  “I suppose. It’s just, well, he is their father. They must have mixed feelings, but they’ve clammed up on me.”

  “Take a deep breath. Wait and see.”

  “I agree. Kids love their parents, no matter what kind of parents they are. They may be afraid of them, not even like them much, but they still love them.”

  “True,” Regina said. “Whatever they feel is okay. They need to know that.”

  The snack finished popping. Annabelle unplugged the popper, showing Tad how to turn it over, the top making a bowl. She sprinkled on salt then handed several cold cans of soda to her cousin.

  “This smells too good to waste.” Annabelle scooped a small bowl for herself.

  “I thought you’d see it my way.” Tad grinned, eating a handful.

  Regina laughed, following them out of the kitchen.

  Chapter 40

  WITH ONLY A MONTH until Christmas, Peggy had planning to do if she and her siblings were going to be prepared. She and Megan lay on top of the sunny yellow quilt covering their queen-sized bed. Peggy stared at the ceiling while Megan read another mystery.

  “What do you want for Christmas, Megan?” Peggy asked.

  “I dunno. It really doesn’t matter. I know I’ll like whatever I get.”

  “You are so different from most ten year olds. Did you know that?” She watched her sister frown.

  “I am not.”

  “Sure you are. Most girls your age have lists of things they want. Disney stuff, or pink sneakers, or the latest boy band music.”

  “I’m just not into that stuff. I like books and baking with Gram and playing with Tang and Ms. Pickles. I guess I’m really boring.” Megan closed her book with a sigh.

  Peggy leaned across the bed, pulling her little sister close for a moment, then laid back to study the ceiling again.

  “No, just different. But that’s okay. Different is cool.”

  Laying her head on her big sister’s shoulder, Peggy could hear the smile in Megan’s voice.

  “Thanks. I just don’t want to be like everyone else. Do you?”

  “Not really, but sometimes I wish I were invisible.” Peggy closed her eyes to imagine what it would be like.

  “Really? Why?”

  “Then I could go anywhere I want to. No one would see me. I could visit other classes, or listen in on the girls who are always talking in the bathroom.”

  Megan rolled back on her side to face her sister. Her finger trailed along the quilt stitches.

  “Like the Invisible Girl in Fantastic Four?”

  “Exactly. Have you ever heard Gram say she wished she were a fly on the wall?”

  Wrinkling her forehead, Megan asked, “No, why?”

  “Well, that’s like being invisible, too. No one notices you.”

  “Why don’t you want to be noticed?”

  “I don’t know. I guess I get tired of watching the popular girls and guys hang on each other. Everyone knows who they are, and they have to act out all the time. They aren’t even real. Everything is so fake, you know?”

  Rolling onto her back, Peggy joined her sister who began to study the ceiling, to
o.

  “There’s a girl in my class who acts one way in front of the teacher and another way on the play ground. It’s like she’s two different people.”

  “That’s what I’m talking about. I’d rather just be me and not have to pretend to be anything else, even if that means being invisible.” Peggy punctuated her words with a swing of her hand.

  “Me, too. But, what about boys? If you’re invisible, they won’t know you’re there.”

  “Miles knows I’m there.” Peggy smiled. “Does it bother you that I still like him, even after the accident?”

  “No. He didn’t mean to hurt me. But I don’t have a Miles. None of the boys seem to like me at all. Jimmy says I’m a chunky monkey.”

  Taking her little sister’s hand, she gave it a gentle squeeze.

  “You’re very pretty. You’ve got big beautiful eyes and thick shiny brown hair. I’d love to have your hair. Mine’s all thin and straight. You’re smart and funny.”

  “Thanks, but I’m not sure the boys in my class care about my hair or if I’m smart.”

  Peggy felt Megan’s sigh as well as heard it.

  “They will, I promise. Guys always look at your hair and your eyes. And if you’re funny, too, you’ll probably be one of the popular girls.”

  “Really?” Megan grabbed a stuffed animal off the pillow and straightened the bow around its neck.

  “I don’t know, Megan. I just know you’re special. Someday you’ll find a boy who knows it and appreciates it, too.”

  “Like Miles.”

  “Yeah, only better, because he’ll be yours.”

  “Do you and Miles kiss?”

  “Boy, you really are full of questions. Yeah, we’ve kissed.” Peggy could feel the warmth flooding her cheeks.

  “What did it make you feel like?”

  Feeling Megan’s stare, she rolled onto her side, propping her head on her hand.

  “Warm. It made me feel kind of light-headed.”

  “Is that love?” Megan squeezed the fuzzy creature to her chest.

  “I don’t know. Why do you ask?”

  “Cameron kissed me at recess. He sort of pushed on me with his lips. I think the other boys dared him. It felt weird. I hoped kissing was better than that.”