"Where is Lauren?"
"Upstairs." Anna stepped out of Clark's way as he sat the luggage by the door. "I'll tell her that you're here." She paused before she left. "Was Lauren expecting you?" Eunice's brow creased as she removed her hat. "How could she be expecting me? She never even called back." She shook her finger at Anna. "You promised that Lauren would return my call, remember? And, of course, I didn't have your phone number. So, what else could I do but come here myself? Traveling to the ends of the earth just to speak to my own granddaughter. Really!"
"Oh." Anna frowned. "I did ask Lauren to return your call, Eunice. I assumed that she had done so."
"Well, if she had returned my call, I wouldn't have been forced to come out here, now would I?" Eunice sighed dramatically as she peeled off her gloves and tossed them onto the dresser. "Heaven knows what this trip will do to my poor old bones. And the dampness of the river will play havoc with my arthritis. I have no doubt that it will keep me awake all night."
"Perhaps you'd like a little rest now," Anna suggested. "Dinner is at six-thirty."
"Yes. I do believe I could use a rest." She reached over and patted the bed. "Not that I imagine this bed will be any too comfortable. In the meantime, you tell Lauren that I want her to pack her bags and be ready to go home with me the first thing tomorrow morning. And I expect you to make sure that horrible river man comes to fetch me like he promised."
Clark gave Anna a sympathetic look. "If you need to leave in the morning," he told Eunice, "I'll be happy to take you in our boat—whenever you'd like to go."
"But I can't promise that Lauren will go with you," Anna said as she reached for the door.
"She'll go with me," Eunice snapped. "If she knows what's good for her, she will go. You do like I said. Tell her to be ready to travel in the morning."
Anna simply nodded. Then she and Clark stepped back out into the sunshine and just looked at each other. Anna didn't even have words for what had just transpired. In some ways it seemed like a very bad dream.
"It feels like the Wicked Witch of the West just arrived," he said quietly as he walked her over to the stairs.
Despite herself, Anna laughed. "At least she didn't destroy our house when she landed."
"Did you have any idea she was coming?"
"None at all." Anna shook her head. "Maybe it's a good thing. I'm sure I would've just worried if I'd known."
"Do you really think Lauren will go with her?"
"I honestly don't know."
He reached out and squeezed her hand. "Be strong."
She smiled. "It's a lot easier to be strong when I know you're nearby."
He tipped his head toward the cabin he was working on. "I'm just a holler away, darling."
Anna chuckled. "Well, if you hear me yelling, you better come running."
"Do you want me to inform Mom that we have a new guest?"
Anna grimaced. "I just hope that Eunice doesn't manage to insult your poor mother too."
"Oh, don't you worry about her. She can take care of herself."
"Yes, I expect she can."
"Anyway, I'll let her know. Knowing Mom, she might even have some trick up her sleeve for disarmament."
Anna thanked him then headed on up to speak to Lauren. She had no idea what Lauren's reaction would be to this new development, but at least she'd been having a relatively good day today. Since her initial encounter with Hazel, Lauren had been slowly warming to the idea that she might be able to do more with her life than just pine away in the hopes that Donald would turn into Prince Charming. Anna had even overheard Lauren telling Hazel that she might return to college someday. Not only that, but Lauren had actually made herself useful in the kitchen these last couple of days. And although it took a lot of nagging and prodding, Lauren had gotten up in time for breakfast today. Maybe next time she'd show up in something besides her bathrobe.
Anna paused at the top of the stairs and gazed out over the river. How was she going to break this news to Lauren? Just when she'd started to feel hopeful that Lauren was giving up her relentless pursuit of trying to reach Donald on the telephone. Anna could only imagine what their long distance bill would be since Lauren must've left that boy dozens of messages by now, begging him to return her calls at her mother's house. But, as far as Anna knew, Donald had yet to call back. Just the same, Lauren rarely ventured far from the telephone. Simply getting her to leave the house for a walk this morning had felt like a major victory. She hoped Eunice's presence wouldn't be a setback. Anna took in a deep breath and opened the door.
Lauren was curled up on the couch with a book in her lap and the telephone just inches from her elbow. "Good book?" Anna asked as she came over to join her.
She shrugged. "Hazel gave it to me. I guess it's kind of interesting. But there are a lot of words that I don't know."
"There's a dictionary on the bookshelf."
Lauren wrinkled her nose, reminding Anna of Eunice.
"I have a little surprise for you . . ." Anna forced a smile.
Lauren's blue eyes lit up. "What?"
"Someone is here to see you and—"
"Donald!" Lauren leaped to her feet, dumping the book onto the floor. "I can't believe it. Where is he—"
"No, sweetheart. I'm sorry. It's not Donald. It's your grandmother."
Lauren's smile disappeared and she sank back down onto the couch with a loud groan. "What's she doing here?"
"She says she's come to take you back with her."
Lauren scowled darkly. "Why would I want to go with her? She was so mean to me on the phone the other day. I don't want to see her. If she tries to talk to me, I will go to my room and never come out!"
Anna didn't know how to respond. Part of her wanted to agree with her daughter and put an end to Eunice's nonsense. But another part—probably the motherly part—knew she needed to encourage her to act more mature. "I can understand you not wanting to see your grandmother, Lauren. To be honest, I'm not that happy to see her myself. But she did come a long way to get here. The least you can do is hear what she has to say."
Lauren sighed. "I just wish Donald would call me back." She looked at the clock above the fireplace. "Maybe I should try his dorm again. He should be done with classes by now."
Anna just shrugged. "I'm going to start dinner."
As she went into the kitchen, she heard Lauren dialing the phone again. Soon she was speaking to someone—but as usual, it was not Donald. "Tell Donald this is extremely urgent," Lauren pleaded. "I have to speak to him as soon as possible. Tell him it's a matter of life and death! I mean it!"
Anna continued peeling potatoes, silently praying for Lauren to be strong—whether or not Donald ever came to the telephone . . . or to her aid.
"Donald!" Lauren exclaimed suddenly. "Why haven't you called me?"
Anna turned the water off and just stood there, anxiously waiting, but there was a long silence and she could only assume that Donald was speaking. However, she had no idea what he might be saying. She peered around the corner to see that Lauren's face looked distressed and slightly pale as she listened to the receiver.
"Don't you even want to know why I'm not there at school anymore?" Lauren finally asked in a small voice. "For all you know I could be dying, Donald. Don't you even care about me anymore?" Now there was another long pause.
"Donald, don't say that. I know you can't mean that! You can't be that cruel. You said you loved me before."
Anna felt sick as she backed into the kitchen, trying to refocus on peeling potatoes. What was Donald saying to her daughter? What kind of monster was this boy?
"But you said you loved me, Donald. More than once. And I've only been gone a couple of weeks. How could you change so much in such a short time?"
Anna set down her paring knife and leaned against the counter.
"But I did call you. Lots and lots of times. I left hundreds of messages and the guys said you'd gotten them, but you never returned my calls!"
Anna close
d her eyes tightly. This was so hard to overhear. But she felt trapped in the kitchen just now.
"Fine, be like that, Donald Thomas. And just so you know— while you're taking out stupid old Cindy Payton—just so you are fully aware of what is what—you are going to be a father!" Lauren screamed into the telephone. "Yes, you heard me right, you no-good, cheating, two-timing liar. I am pregnant, Donald. I am having your stupid baby! Thank you very much! And if you think you can just go on with your merry little life while I sit here watching the world pass me by, you are sadly wrong, Donald Thomas. You are wrong, wrong, wrong!" This was followed with the crash of the receiver clattering down on the telephone and loud wails from Lauren.
Anna hurried out. "What's going on, honey?"
"Nothing, Mom. Nothing whatsoever." Lauren folded her arms across her front and scowled.
"Are you all right?"
"Oh, yeah, Mom. I'm just fine and dandy!" Then Lauren shrieked like a wounded animal and ran to her room, slamming the door so hard that the whole house seemed to rattle. Anna didn't know what to say or do. Wringing her hands together, she simply paced back and forth, silently praying for God to help them. She was just starting to feel her sense of serenity returning when the jangling telephone rattled her nerves.
Taking a deep breath, she politely said "hello" in the hope it might be an actual guest.
"Lauren?" demanded an angry voice.
"No. This is Lauren's mother. May I ask who is calling?"
"I—uh—this is Donald Thomas, ma'am. May I speak to Lauren?"
"I'm afraid Lauren is too upset to speak right now, Donald. Is there something I can help you with?"
"I—uh—I don't know. I just wanted to, uh, well . . . ."
"I don't know what you just said to Lauren, Donald, but it must've been very upsetting."
"Yeah, well, I'm upset too."
"I'm not surprised you're upset. I'm sure it's not easy to hear that you are going to become a father."
"So is it true?" He sounded more like a boy than a man now.
"Do you honestly believe this is something a girl makes up?"
"Maybe. If she's trying to catch a man. She might do something like that."
"Then, take it from me, Donald. Lauren is pregnant. She's been to the doctor. She's taken the tests. As they say in the movies, the rabbit died."
He let out a groan.
"And the next time you speak to my daughter, Donald, I suggest you use a tone that is respectful of the woman who is carrying your child."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Now I am not going to tell you what to do about this. That's something you and Lauren will have to figure out. But I will tell you this, son. It takes two to make a baby and, since you're older, I am holding you even more responsible for this than Lauren. Does that make sense?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good. Do you want me to see if Lauren feels up to speaking to you yet? Or do you need some time to carefully consider what you're going to say to her? Because I am not going to put up with any nonsense. This is a grown-up matter and I expect both you and Lauren to act like grown-ups. Is that clear?"
"Yes, that's clear."
"It's unfortunate how this all came about, but there is nothing you can do about it now—nothing besides taking responsibility and doing the right thing that is. Fighting and name-calling will do no good. And I plan to tell Lauren the same thing. But I expect you to take the high road, Donald. What Lauren has lost is going to cost her a whole lot more than it is costing you. For that, she deserves some sympathy from you. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"I understand."
"Good."
"Tell Lauren that I'll call her back . . . um . . . later. Okay?"
"I'll do that."
Anna's hands were actually trembling when she hung up the phone. She couldn't believe that she'd actually spoken like that to Donald Thomas. But as she walked back into the kitchen, she was glad that she had and knew, if necessary, she would do it again.
7
I hear there's a new guest at Shining Waters Inn," Hazel said as she joined Anna in the kitchen. Dressed in her brown corduroy pants and a plaid wool jacket, Hazel's cheeks were ruddy. Her suede shoes had dampened toes, as if she'd just come in from a walk. "I thought perhaps you could use a hand."
Anna gave her a relieved smile as she set a small pitcher of fall flowers on the kitchen table. "I think I can use your moral support even more than your help." She pulled out a wooden chair. "Why don't you just make yourself comfortable and keep me company." While Hazel sat, Anna washed vegetables and quietly filled her in on the events of the afternoon.
"My, my . . . ." Hazel shook her head. "It sounds as if you've been through the wringer."
"It's Lauren I'm concerned for," Anna told her. "Donald seems intent on breaking her heart."
"So sad . . . and she seemed to be making such progress too."
"And now with Eunice here . . . well, I don't know what to expect."
"Do you think Lauren will go home with her grandmother?"
"I'd like to say no, but the truth is I suspect she will."
"Why is that? Lauren seems to like it here."
"I know. In fact, she's seemed more at home these past couple of days than I've ever seen her before. It gave me such hope."
"So why would she want to leave?"
"Her grandmother has methods for getting her way." Anna lowered her voice. "She sometimes uses her money . . . sometimes she simply applies pressure. But she has always been able to work Lauren."
Hazel looked disappointed.
"I know . . . it doesn't speak well of me, does it?"
"I'm not suggesting that."
"Well, it's how I feel. If I'd been a better mother—stronger, I mean. If I hadn't let Eunice rule over me all those years while Lauren was growing up, perhaps Lauren would be stronger now."
"I'm sure you did the best you could . . . under the circumstances. From what I've heard of Eunice, she is a force to be reckoned with." Hazel chuckled. "To be honest, I'm dying to meet this woman."
Anna wiped her hands on a towel and just shook her head. "I hope she doesn't say something to offend you, Hazel, but I'll warn you, it's a possibility."
"I'm a tough old bird. I suspect I can hold my own with her."
Anna glanced at the clock, deciding it was time to put the salmon into the oven. "At least Eunice always liked my cooking," she said as she closed the door. "I don't need to worry about that." She grinned at Hazel. "Although, mark my word, she will still complain about it."
"If she likes it, why does she complain?"
Anna shrugged. "I think that complaining gives Eunice pleasure."
Hazel looked confused. "But if she complains about the food, how can you be sure she likes it?"
"Watch her." Anna winked. "She'll clean her plate and ask for more."
Hazel broke into laughter.
"What's the joke?" Clark said as he came into the room, hanging his dusty felt hat by the door. His expression was curious as he peeled off his denim carpenter's jacket.
"Oh, nothing." Anna motioned to him. "But if you come in here, I'll fill you in on the latest developments." Then, as he munched on a carrot, she explained about Lauren and Donald.
Clark's blue eyes grew cloudy. "I'd like to wring that boy's neck."
"Get in line," she told him. "But at least I made myself pretty clear on the telephone. I told Donald in no uncertain terms that I expect him to act mature about this." She sighed. "I can't tell him exactly what he should do, other than to take some responsibility."
"If I were Lauren's father, I'd force Donald to do the right thing and marry her."
"Oh, Clark." Hazel frowned. "What good would that do?"
"Might do their child some good. Besides that, Lauren thinks she loves the boy. Maybe if he were man enough to marry her and take care of her, he'd grow into a better person."
Anna pressed her fingers to her lips now. "I think we should probably change the subjec
t. What will be will be."
Clark chuckled. "You're starting to sound like Doris Day now."
She wrinkled her nose at him.
"Anyway, I'm going to clean up for dinner." He kissed her on the forehead. "Something smells mighty good."
Anna checked on the potatoes then turned to Hazel. "If you'd start setting the table, I think I'd like to go check on Lauren."
"The good china?"
"Of course," Anna assured her. "We have a new guest."
Hazel looked doubtful, but didn't argue.
Anna knocked on Lauren's door then let herself into the room. She expected to find Lauren in her bed, but instead, she was sitting by the window, looking out on the river with a very sad expression.
"Oh, Lauren." Anna came over and put her arms around her. "I'm so sorry about how Donald reacted to you today."
Lauren just shrugged.
"If it makes you feel any better, I had a nice long chat with him myself."
Lauren looked surprised. "You called him?"
"No, he called back. I set him straight on a few things."
"What?"
"Just that he needed to grow up and take some responsibility. And I told him to be more respectful of you too."
Lauren brightened a bit. "Thanks, Mom."
"I also told him that there would be no more blaming or name-calling." She stroked Lauren's hair. "On both ends."
Lauren just nodded. "He has a new girlfriend, Mom."
"Oh . . ."
"Cindy Payton. She's a stuck-up snob from Portland. She's in my sorority and she goes around acting as if she's better than everyone else. Just because her family is filthy rich. She's not even that good-looking. Honestly, I don't see how he can stand her."
Anna didn't know what to say.
"I feel so lost, Mom." Lauren looked up with watery eyes. "I don't know what to do. What should I do?"
"Right now, there's not much you can do besides what you're doing, sweetie. You need to take care of yourself. And it's almost time for dinner, so you need to eat. And, even though it seems dark at the moment, you need to believe that things will get brighter." Anna reminded Lauren of how difficult her life was when Lauren's dad came home from the war. "He was in such terrible shape, sweetie. And I had to take care of him, and you were still in diapers. And your grandmother treated me like a slave. Those were really hard times for me." She smiled. "But now I'm happier than I ever imagined possible."
River's Call Page 5