Aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends would all cram into the modest Purdy house, clamoring to enjoy a plateful of Bessie’s home-cooking. Those days held warm memories, and Annie couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret that some of those people would never fill her home for the holidays.
She supposed that her guests were a sort of surrogate family, in their own way. At least, she hoped that she made them feel sort of like family while they stayed at Rosewood Place.
I think that this is going to be a lovely dinner, she told her mother. You’ve outdone yourself, especially considering the fact that it’s not even a special occasion.
Bessie grinned. If nothing else, our guests will know where to come for a home-cooked meal, even if they can’t figure their own love lives out.
Should we ask Mr. LaRue to stay for dinner? Bessie’s question caught Annie off-guard.
Well, Annie answered slowly, I suppose there’s more than enough food. I’m not sure how Melody will feel about it, but I guess it might be nice for them to have a neutral first ‘family’ dinner together. Annie decided to ask the woman first and let her decide whether she felt comfortable having Bobby eat dinner with the rest of the household.
Melody and Bobby had moved outside to the small deck that overlooked the pond. They continued their conversation in hushed tones and furtive glances while Joshua threw rocks into the water. Annie didn’t really want to disturb them, but Melody seemed relieved to take a break from their discussion.
Is everything alright? Annie asked as she held open the door to the screened-in veranda.
Oh, yeah, I guess. I mean, a few days ago he didn’t want to know me and claimed that I was lying about Joshua being his. Now, he’s talking about moving in together over in his uncle’s old place. It’s just...a bit much.
Oh, Annie replied, That is pretty fast. Maybe you two should take some time to get to really know each other before you commit to something like living together. And in that house? She shuddered. Sorry, but it’s just so old and crumbling.
In Annie’s mind, the state of the house was nothing compared to the alarm bells that were going off in her head about Bobby LaRue. What kind of man moves a woman in with him after not seeing her for over five years? Maybe he was just trying to do the right thing, but Annie had an icky feeling about the whole situation.
Melody nodded quickly. Yeah, I know, right? But I think he’s just excited about the idea of being a father and now he just wants us close so he can make up for the time he’s lost. I guess he’s just being nice, but I’m not used to that. I’m used to taking care of myself and my son, not relying on some man to take care of me.
Annie had to give Melody some credit, the girl wasn’t the pushover that Annie had originally mistaken her for. She just hoped that Melody wouldn’t rush into anything serious with Bobby, at least not until they’d had a chance to properly get to know each other again.
Melody, my mother and I were wondering if you’d mind if we asked Bobby to stay for dinner. I mean, we have more than enough food and maybe it would be nice for him to eat with you and Joshua. It will be like a big, family dinner, nothing too fancy, she added quickly. Of course, you can send him packing, too, she added lightly,
You know, if that feels too awkward.
Melody mulled this over for a moment. Dinner might be nice. I’ll ask him if he wants to stay. I appreciate your kindness, she added. Frankly, I’m just not that used to people helping me out. You’ve been so good with Joshua, and he can be a real handful, she conceded. I just...well, I just wanted to say thank you.
Melody pulled Annie into a hug before the woman could reply. Annie felt slightly guilty for all the times that she’d been annoyed by Joshua’s antics and all of the times that she’d made a snide comment about Melody’s crying. She still felt a pang of something bitter when she thought of the young woman pouring her heart out to Rory, but generally, she realized, Melody was a fairly nice girl.
You know, I think you’re a lot stronger than you realize, Annie said. Joshua is a great kid, and that’s all you. I get why you want to have his father involved in his life, and I completely understand about the financial side of things, but don’t forget to give yourself the credit you deserve. And don’t give up on yourself just yet. You’ve got a long life ahead of you, and there will be plenty of other jobs.
Melody sighed. I’ve been toying with the idea of going back to school and becoming a nurse, but after looking into the cost and the course load, I don’t know how I’d manage it.
Annie nodded. Joshua will be in school soon, won’t he? And I’ll bet there are some grants for single parents out there. I know there are definitely some for lower income families. Annie didn’t add that she’d already looked into those for Devon, just in case he didn’t earn any scholarships. Don’t count yourself out just yet.
Melody smiled, but it was a weak one. I wish I had your optimism. I know this is going to sound bad, but I can’t help think that maybe some of this bad stuff has happened for a reason, you know?
Annie shook her head. What do you mean?
Well, first I got laid off. Then I get in touch with Bobby, and although our first meeting didn’t go as well as I’d hoped, well, now he seems really excited to be a part of Josh’s life. And it’s awful to say, but if Bobby is going to inherit his uncle’s place, well, that old man’s death couldn’t have happened at a better time.
Annie couldn’t see how a man’s death could possibly be for the best, but she kept that to herself. Well, I guess the universe works in mysterious ways sometimes. Of course, mysterious and convenient are a little too close to the same thing, she added silently.
Melody straightened her shoulders. It looked like an effort from Annie’s perspective, but she didn’t say anything. Carrying on a solo conversation with Bobby LaRue looked to be a very tiring activity. Annie didn’t envy Melody there.
I guess I’ll go and let Bobby know about dinner. Will Mr. Michaels be there? Melody’s face remained a mask of stony resolve, but Annie thought she saw just the faintest flicker of something in Melody’s eyes as she asked about the man. Maybe Bessie was right, after all.
Yes, I believe he will, Annie replied cheerfully. I think dinner’s going to be really nice with everyone eating together, she added. I look forward to seeing you guys there.
She sent Melody away to talk to Bobby, but in her heart, Annie hoped that Melody would pursue her interest in Bo Michaels a little further. Something about Bobby LaRue just didn’t sit right with her. Maybe it was the fact that Melody had mentioned his rumored violent past, or perhaps it was his cocky attitude that rubbed her the wrong way, but something about him just felt less than pleasant. At least, he was far less pleasant than Bo Michaels, and that was enough to make him seem a little dubious in Annie’s eyes.
Annie checked the clock on her phone and let out another little sigh. Dinner time was fast approaching, and she still hadn’t finished setting the table in the dining room.
The innkeeper’s job is never done, TigerLily, she said, addressing the fluffy orange cat sunbathing on the back of a chair on the veranda. The cat opened one eye and mewled back her response, though what she said, Annie hadn’t the foggiest idea.
17
Good Food, Friendly Conversation
The dining table in Rosewood Place’s dining room was large enough to seat twelve comfortably, though fifteen could squeeze in at a pinch. Its surface was a rich mahogany, though it was most often covered with a tablecloth to protect it from scratches. Today is was covered with a thin white tablecloth that had the prettiest embroidered flowers dotted around its edge.
Annie had found this particular table cloth in a box with several others at an estate sale over in the next county and she’d snapped it up. It was difficult finding ready made table cloths for such a big dining room table, so she grabbed them whenever she found them.
Bessie had brought out the giant lazy Susan today as well. The round, wooden tray turned easily so that guests could access all of the salt, p
epper, chow chow, pickles, and other accoutrements that had been placed on its surface. Annie wasn’t sure how many of her guests would eat dill pickles or mustard with their fried chicken and green beans, but she knew her mother was just trying to cover every possible taste preference.
Rory and Emmett had been the first to settle at the dinner table. Their fishing trip proved to be a fruitful one, much to Bessie’s dismay. The elder Purdy woman now found herself the slightly annoyed owner of three large catfish, which would have to be cleaned and filleted very shortly, much to her chagrin.
She knew Rory would gladly take on the task, but as Bessie was very particular about her cuts of fish--she didn’t like running into any unexpected bones in her meal--she’d just do it herself and be sure it was done right. Fortunately, the fish would keep just fine on ice until the morning, so she only had to focus on getting her dinner on the table this evening.
Young Joshua, Melody, and Bobby appeared shortly after Rory and Emmett. The young boy couldn’t keep his hands to himself and nearly sent the biscuits flying as he gave the lazy Susan a good spin.
Whoa, buddy! Bobby called out to his son. You’d better leave that alone before you break something.
Oh, he’s not the first person to be fascinated with that old thing, Bessie said, And there’s no harm done.
Well, Bobby replied, I guess kids today aren’t as disciplined as we were growing up. I mean, I was raised to keep my hands to myself at the dinner table, no matter where I was eating.
Bo Michaels appeared in the doorway. I followed my nose, he said to Bessie, before flashing her a brilliant smile. My stomach led the way, I guess. He looked at the empty chairs and hesitated.
Melody opened her mouth to say something, but she closed it again when Bobby put his hand on hers. He picked up her hand and gave it a gentle kiss, a sweet enough gesture, but one Annie recognized for what it really was. Bobby may as well have been marking Melody as his property with that possessive move.
Grab a seat, young man, Emmett called to him, pointing to the empty chair on his left. There’s plenty of room over here.
Bo made his way around the table, pausing to give Joshua a high-five, and landed in the chair beside the Chief of Police. Bobby sat across from him, smiling in a vapid, disingenuous way.
Food sure smells amazing, Bo said as he sat. I think I’ve eaten in five star restaurants that didn’t look this appealing, he added.
I’m sure you have, Bobby replied. I mean, you must eat in fancy restaurants all the time. You probably stay in lots of fancy hotels, too, right? You know many celebrities?
Bo looked only a little uncomfortable. I have, and I do, but I don’t tend to mix with the famous folk. I just like to write my songs and hear other people sing them. I guess the good Lord didn’t bless me with a great singing voice, but he gave me the ability to string pretty words together, so I’m not complaining.
Bessie and Annie took their own chairs and encouraged their guests to tuck in. Melody filled a plate for her son, then filled her own. As she did this, she spoke, keeping her eyes on the food. Mr. Michaels, forgive me for asking, but why did you choose to stay in Coopersville? I mean, this place is gorgeous, but it’s not fancy. Oh, no offense, Annie.
None taken, Annie replied, wiping her fingers on her napkin. We’re pretty low-key here, but I think that’s part of the charm.
Bo swallowed the food he’d been chewing. "Exactly why I came here. I don’t like busy, flashy places. I like it
here--it’s quiet, it’s away from things, and I can concentrate and just write music."
And I understand you grew up near here? Emmett asked him, pausing his fork halfway to his mouth long enough to ask the question, then resuming the act of eating just after.
Yessir, Bo replied slowly. That was a long time ago, though, and my family is now gone from around here.
I spent most of my childhood around here myself, Bobby interjected. Practically grew up at my uncle’s place over yonder. I had a cousin, my uncle’s boy, that used to come over here all the time. He was a real troublemaker, though. Left town when he was a teenager, just ran off one night and never looked back.
Emmett nodded. I remember him. Adrian, wasn’t that his name?
Bobby nodded. Yessir. Shoot, we’ve wondered what happened to that kid for years.
Well, he wouldn’t be a kid now, would he? I reckon he’d be close to your age, Emmett replied. He’d be a grown man now.
Bobby laughed. Nah, I reckon he’d be dead by now. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I liked the kid well enough, but he was a real druggie. I’ve always just assumed that he wound up overdosing somewhere. He’s probably dead, he added. I mean, he’s as good as dead, anyway.
What makes you so sure of that? Maybe he just ran off and didn’t want anything to do with his father. It isn’t a stretch to think that maybe he got tired of living with somebody who’d shoot at you as soon as look at you. Emmett nodded towards Melody. Ain’t that right, Miss Wallace?
Melody seemed surprised that Emmett knew about her experience with the old man. She opened her mouth to speak, but closed it again, as if she wasn’t quite sure what to say.
I seem to recall your father trying to get your uncle to go stay at some sort of nursing facility a few years back, is that right? Emmett now directed his question to Bobby, who paused his eating with a piece of fried chicken halfway to his mouth. He lowered it slowly and replied.
Yessir, he did. Uncle Frances had himself a pretty bad heart attack and wouldn’t let none of us come take care of him. Shoot, you know what he did when we tried to send Melody here over to take care of him, so my daddy thought maybe he was better off in a home. He kind of got a little crazy in the last few years of life. I guess we’re all lucky he didn’t shoot somebody.
How exactly did you say the old man died? Melody asked Emmett. That is, if you’re allowed to talk about it.
He took a deep breath and set his glass down beside his plate. We’re still investigating, but I can tell you that the coroner feels that the man’s death wasn’t an accident. There was a head wound consistent with blunt force trauma.
The floor was wet. Do you think he could have slipped and hit his head? Annie asked her question without thinking, then realized that her guests were all staring at her.
Annie and Rory discovered Mr. LaRue’s body, Emmett explained. If it weren’t for them, I hate to say it, but he probably would still be lying over there in that house.
There was a brief silence, awkward in its way, then Bo spoke up. You live by the sword, you die by the sword, isn’t that what they say?
Bobby looked up from his food. I don’t see what business it is of yours, but yeah, that’s exactly what happened to my uncle. He reaped what he sowed, being so hateful to everybody. I mean, he drove his own kid away, wouldn’t let anybody help him. I always thought his wife, my aunt, died young just so she wouldn’t have to put up with him. He laughed at his own morbid joke.
Now, my daddy is nothing like Uncle Frances was. He knows the meaning of family--family is everything. Frances LaRue didn’t care a bit about anybody but himself. You don’t push away your only kin, especially if they’re trying to help you.
And nobody tried to find the missing son, not in all these years? Rory had been listening quietly, but now he felt compelled to speak. Doesn’t sound like ‘all family matters,’ if you ask me.
Maybe the kid didn’t want to be found, Bo interjected. I mean, it sounds like the LaRues are a really dysfunctional family, to say the least. No offense, he nodded towards Bobby, but your uncle doesn’t sound like father of the year, and if family really is all that important to your father, well, maybe he should have intervened with your cousin before things got so bad that he felt he had to leave.
No offense, Bobby fired back, but it’s really none of your business, now, is it?
Bobby, I think he was just making a point, Melody chimed in. "And he is right...if someone had stepped up
and tried to help me when I
was younger, I might not have had such a hard time of things growing up. My mother alienated all of her family, too, so by default, I got cheated out of having a real family to call my own. She paused, a frown frozen on her lips. But then again, I wouldn’t have Joshua, would I? So, I guess things can work out for the best even when they seem to be the worst. Maybe your cousin is still alive, and maybe he’s off somewhere living the life he couldn’t have back here."
Well, even if he is alive, he isn’t getting that piece of land. I mean, I took care of my uncle as best I could, but it wasn’t my place to do that. It should have been Adrian here, taking care of things. If he’s not really dead, he’s as good as dead to me. Bobby pushed his chair back from the table.
I hate to eat and run, but it’s getting late and I hate driving at night. I appreciate you having me to dinner, and I’d like to visit you again tomorrow, if that’s alright. He addressed this last part to Melody, who nodded slowly.
I’ll be checking out in a couple of days, she replied. Sorry I didn’t give an exact date when I checked in, she said to Annie, but, as you can see, my life’s been a little complicated lately.
That’s fine, Melody, no problem at all. Just come see me when you’re ready to check out and I’ll get your bill together.
Mama, I need to go potty! Joshua whispered loudly into his mother’s ear, inadvertently sharing his ‘secret’ with the entire table.
I guess we’ll walk you out, Melody said to Bobby, and I’ll take this little guy to the bathroom.
Don’t forget to come back and get some dessert, Bessie warned her. I can’t promise Emmett will save you any, she laughed.
In that case, I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask for some to take with me, Bo interjected. I have a telephone meeting with a client in… He checked his watch. ...ten minutes. Shoot, I sure have enjoyed this delicious dinner, Miss Bessie. I wish I could stay, but the fella calling me is a pretty big name in the country music industry. If he buys this song from me, well, let’s just say I could afford to stay here a for an awful long time, he concluded.
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