Crashing Into Tess (The McGreers)

by Christine, Lilly

  Tess was carrying the bags. Smiling, she said, “She is, Mom. Alice gave me the courage to try Green Junction. Really, she’s so good to me, out there. I picked the job because of her and Doc. Doc knows so much, and Alice always backs me up, no matter what. I hope you can try to understand what working there means to me, and it’s so, so beautiful there. I hope you and Dad and Grandma will all come visit, before I leave.”

  “Tess, I am sorry for jumping to conclusions about that young man. I was anxious after you’d left, and I was missing you. You were so far away. It wasn’t fair for me to channel my anxiety the way I did, though. I created distance between us, and then overreacted at the insurance receipts, which set your father off. The police report seemed to validate all my concerns, but I should have spoken to you first, I see that now.”

  “I hid the accident because I didn’t want it to turn into some kind of huge production, Mom. All summer, you made no secret of your disapproval of my move. It just seemed like a hassle, to compound that with anything else.”

  “I know I’m responsible for the communication breakdown, dear, and I’m sorry. I am. I’m still mystified by it all, though. What is the attraction to Green Junction.?”

  “I just feel stifled when I’m here, Mom. It’s hard to explain, really, but out there, the spaces are so big. It’s a small town, and people really do pitch in and help each other out in a simple, old fashioned way. It’s a good change for me. And the work is fascinating. The animals are vital there, they’re not just pets. The ranchers I work for have given their lives to raising animals. It’s a round the clock commitment and it makes them different people, better people, in some ways. At least, that’s what it seems to me.”

  Tess felt her mother’s arm slip around her waist. Quietly, Noelle said. “I wish I’d given you a chance to try to explain that, Contessa, before you left. Honestly, dear, I was selfish. I couldn’t get past the feeling that you were failing me, by leaving, by choosing a path I didn’t understand. But I made one snap judgment after another. I didn’t even try to understand, did I?”

  “It didn’t seem so, Mom.”

  “Promise to make me understand, next time, no matter how hard headed I am, okay?” Her mom kissed her cheek, handing Tess the keys.

  ***** “Well, sister, you’ve been a major trooper, staying with Mom and Dad all week,” Sam said Friday afternoon when Tess picked her up at Penn station. She pitched her bags in the back of their father’s Volvo wagon, and took the pale leather passenger seat next to Tess. “Thankfully my crunch project is over. My family medical leave was approved for the next two weeks. I’m glad I can be around while Dad adjusts back to his normal life, and give you a break.”

  “The docs are really pleased with Dad’s progress, but he won’t be cleared to drive for awhile, and he’ll need to get to rehab, Sam, every day, after his release on Monday. One of us needs to be here. Mom won’t be able to handle it on her own.”

  “I can cover, Tess. Mom and I will manage, and Dad will be on his feet soon enough. I’m just a train ride away if the office needs me. You should probably get back, right? Have you heard from Jake?’

  “Not since Sunday night. Flowers arrived Tuesday. I left a message to thank him, and he hasn’t called back. I really miss him, Sammi.”

  “Flowers are nice.”

  “They are, but it’s hard to know what they mean. He hasn’t tried to stay in touch, so flowers feel like a funeral arrangement,” Tess sighed. “We never really worked things out after the insurance thing. Anyway, tomorrow Mom wants to get a jump on our annual coat shopping. Dad has rehab in the morning, so I guess we’ll visit him after we find coats. You’ll be on your own with Mom and Dad on Sunday, though. I’m invited to Courtney Morris-Blaise’s baby shower.”

  “Wow, Courtney Morris is having a baby? Isn’t her husband good friends with Archie what’s-his-name, from Dad’s firm?”

  “You mean Archibald Lawson, Starchy Archie? We were both in their wedding.”

  “You think you’ll see him?”

  “I won’t have a choice. Mom will finagle it, somehow.”

  “Good golly, Tess, she’s relentless. I’m glad she hasn’t tried to find dates for me.”

  “You didn’t move seven states away, Sam. New York is just a train ride; she knows her grandchildren will be close. Your turn is coming, I’m sure.”

  “Oh, that’s consolation. Maybe I should meet this Archie,” Sam grinned playfully. “I could try to take some of the starch out of him.”

  “He’s a nice enough guy. You can sure try,” Tess smiled.

  “How are Dad’s spirits?”

  “He’s holding up okay, its Mom I’m worried about. She’s taking this hard.”

  “Dad is everything to her, you know? This is a taste of what it would be like if something really happened,” Sam said.

  “Something did happen, Sam.”

  After a stop at the hospital for a quick visit with their dad, Noelle drove them down to Grandma Angliotti’s for dinner. Tess and Sam exchanged knowing glances when she suggested they meet Archie and a new junior partner from her firm, Mardon, for drinks later that night. “This is the time of your lives, girls, no need to hang around the house with me. I’ll manage. I have Mardon’s number for you, Sam.”

  Saturday morning, in the coat section of Lord & Taylor, Sam and her mother were immersed in the size eight row, fascinated by the collar detail on a camel coat. Tess glanced at her watch. “I’m going to hit the ladies room, Mom,” she called. Her mom nodded absently, so Tess snuck away, dialing Alice.

  “Hi, Tess, I just got to the clinic. It’s the usual dull roar around here. The only thing new is more snow. How’s your dad?”

  “Holding his own, thanks. The doctors are pleased with his rehab stats, so that’s progress.” Just hearing her voice makes me homesick for Green Junction.

  “Have you heard from Jake?”

  “Not since Sunday. I thought things might thaw a bit between us, but apparently not.”

  “Oh, nuts. He’s probably busy with Cassie, and wants to give you some space while your dad’s unwell. Are you having a little bit of fun, anyway, seeing friends or anything?” Alice asked hopefully.

  “I have a baby shower tomorrow, and then a date with Starchy Archie,” she said, not even trying to sound enthused.

  “Hey, keep your options open,” Alice said.

  “I guess. My sister is here now, helping out. My mom is driving me crazy with this shopping. It’s her stress release. I so wish you and I were the same size, I’d have a slew of new things for you.”

  “Oh, me too!”

  “I’ll check back, Al, but let me know if you hear anything, okay?” It was hard to say good bye, she felt disconnected from her new life, in limbo. But with this offer from New Bolton, I’m not even sure what my real life is, anymore

  “I sure will. Take it easy, okay Tess?” She could hear the concern in Alice’s voice.

  Returning to the fitting room, she dutifully tried on the coats her mother had selected, doing her best to play along with this ritual. Looking at herself in a double breasted navy wool coat almost identical to the red one she’d gotten three years before, she made a face in the triple mirror.

  “What’s the matter, honey?” her mom asked, smoothing her hair.

  “I love that we always do this, Mom, but, honestly, I can’t help thinking that what I really need is a puffy, fulllength down coat, something to walk the dog in on a chilly night, or keep in my truck to warm up after a farm call.”

  Her mom swallowed hard, clearly dismayed that another vestige of the life she’d envisioned for Tess was being renegotiated. “Oh, dear, has it come to all that?”

  “Green Junction isn’t a fashionable town, Mom, and I’m sensitive about looking like a fussy easterner as it is. Let’s pick out a really great coat for Sam, something very New York,” she suggested, putting an arm around her mother’s shoulder. “Then I’ll treat you both to lunch.”

  “Lunch on coa
t day is my treat, Contessa,” her mother said tightly. The she sighed. Resignedly, Noelle conceded, “I suppose we can stop at Patagonia on our way to the hospital.”

  Tess gave Noelle a hug. This is huge, coming from Mom.

  *****

  Sunday night, Buster snored gently on the floor as Tess watched the digital clock on her nightstand roll over. 10:28 PM in Philadelphia, 8:30 Colorado time. It’s been a full week since Jake called.

  Staring up at the lace canopy over her bed, she was restless, unable to stop thinking of her afternoon at Courtney’s baby shower. All of her friends were married now, with homes of their own. Real houses, beautifully furnished. They’re becoming mothers, and I’m still scamming deals in thrift shops.

  At the party, the girlfriends she’d had her whole life had been kind, and funny, teasing her about her status as a ‘ramblin’ cowgirl’, but deep down, Tess felt like an outsider. When Courtney discussed plans for her nursery, the other girls chimed in, and suddenly, it seemed like they were speaking in foreign tongues. I don’t know a binky from a boppie from a Bjorn. Bjorn what? It’s a whole other world!

  Feeling upset, she trailed her hand off the bed, stroking Buster’s back, willing herself to sleep. Summoning her courage, she tried Jake’s cell. When she was put into voicemail, she hung up, feeling humiliated. Is he avoiding my calls? The thought was chilling. Tess was angry, but worried, too. Texting Alice would be pathetic. She promised to call if there was news. In the meantime, difficult as it is, I have to accept that not hearing from Jake is his choice.

  Now, lying in bed, she felt a pang of longing, jealousy, even, at how established and adult her girlfriends’ lives were. I’ve seriously never given a thought to being married. Not really. When Olivia McGreer spoke to me about Jake, it just seemed so far fetched. All those weddings just seemed like fun parties while I was in vet school. But even Alice has Lotts.

  Archie had shown up near the end of the shower with Courtney’s husband Tom. Tess had been relieved to see his placid, familiar face, as an escape, if nothing else. They agreed to grab a quick drink at a nearby pub, but once there, they’d fallen into comfortable conversation.

  Archie was intelligent, with a dry sense of humor, and after the tumult and confusion of the past few weeks, his mildness and careful tact had been reassuring. They talked about her father’s health, and her work in Green Junction.

  He’d ordered them a second round, and asked her to choose appetizers, and their friendly conversation had continued to flow. When she confessed how out of place she’d felt at the baby shower, he’d listened understandingly, nodding with solicitude. It had been reassuring to spend time with him.

  For the first time, she felt like a practice on the Main Line and a life with someone like Archie had some appeal. Surrounded by natural beauty, Green Junction had small town charm and friendly, down to earth people. But if she stayed to take over Doc’s practice, she could wind up alone in the middle of nowhere, full of heartache. Archie isn’t Jake, but things might never work out with Jake. The life that had been so easy to fall into in Green Junction suddenly felt very, very elusive.

  Dr. Sanders has all but offered me a permanent, salaried teaching post at a top veterinary facility. The life my parents want for me seems boring because it’s sane, and predictable. It doesn’t involve crazy long hours in the cold, hiking across snowy pastures to tend to sick calves. I love that now, but will it feel like fun forever?

  Her flight back was on Tuesday. What will Green Junction be like, without Jake and Cassie? I’m not even sure I want to know.

  ***** Richard was discharged on Monday morning. He was in good spirits, but his pallor and unsteadiness was concerning. When he spent the entire first day resting in his recliner with Buster at his feet, she wondered if her father would ever be restored to the vigorous person she’d known before the heart attack.

  On Tuesday morning, Tess hugged her parents goodbye, and Sam drove her to the airport. “Last night was my first and last date with Hard-on Mardon,” Sam giggled. “If Mom thought it would keep us around, I bet she’d have Dad stage another heart attack. She could try to hand select our husbands like she does our winter coats. I can’t imagine why the promise of Starchie Archie wasn’t enough to tempt you to join us last night, Tess.”

  “Archie’s actually kind of sweet, Sam. And it’s funny to joke now that the worst has passed, but Dad might have another heart attack. Or something just as bad.” Tess said soberly, unnerved by her return to Green Junction.

  “Oh, posh. Mom won’t let that happen. Didn’t you see all the muesli in the cupboard? She’s going to march him to every test right on schedule, wait and see. They’ll both be around for a long time.”

  “I’m glad you’re feeling so optimistic.”

  “Why so glum, chum?” Sam asked, nudging her. “I keep thinking about the job at New Bolton. I might

  take it, Sam.”

  “I thought you loved your work in Colorado?” “I do, but honestly, I would love large animal work anywhere. Maybe staying in Green Junction would just set me up for heartbreak and disappointment. Maybe Mom’s right, maybe I should be more focused on building a career. Everything seems a lot different since Dad’s heart attack.”

  “Wow, an awful lot seems to depend on Jake. I thought you guys were talking again?”

  “I haven’t heard from him for over a week now, Sam. I’ve left two messages, and he hasn’t returned my calls. It’s unsettling. I don’t even know how my dog is.”

  “Wait till you get back there, Tessie, don’t jump to conclusions. It’s been crazy the past few weeks. Maybe Jake didn’t want to crowd you, or feel like he was pushing his way in, while Dad was sick. You know how guys can be.”

  “Maybe,” Tess answered. “But maybe too much about being happy in Green Junction depends on Jake. This thing with Dad scared me, Sam. Since the baby shower, I’ve been thinking a lot about the future. Suddenly, it feels like I want to be settled. I want a family of my own.”

  “I know what you mean. I’m twenty-eight, but there are no prospects on the horizon, and the clock is ticking.”

  “Well, don’t tell Mom, unless you want her to start lining up dates for you.”

  “Yeah, after Hard-on Mardon, if I can’t find someone on my own, she sure can’t help,” Sam giggled.

  At the airport, Sam helped get her bags checked and gave Tess a big hug. “You can fly home for Thanksgiving, you know. We can’t get enough of you here. No matter what, your biggest fan base will always be on the East Coast,” Sam said.

  Tess nodded, trying to keep the mournful out of her voice. “Good luck with Mom and Dad this week, Sam.”

  After buying a novel and two magazines for the flight, she ordered a grande cappuccino, adding a giant chocolatechip cookie and an apple. I do novels, caffeine and chocolate the way my mother shops for cashmere. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

  Once in Denver, she made her way to the baggage carousel. With her mother’s shopping habits, she had checked two additional bags. She wasn’t quite sure how she’d manage to get her carry-on, a giant duffle, and a new rollie out to the blue Subaru, but Alice was waiting, her flashers on, at the curb outside baggage claim, and jumped from the driver’s seat, engulfing Tess in a big hug. Grabbing Tess’s roll-behind suitcase, she flashed her peppy smile and asked “New coat?”

  “I was so relieved when my mother agreed to take me to Patagonia, I let her choose the color.”

  “That indigo is gorgeous with your eyes.”

  “Thanks. She thought so, too. I wanted something light colored, to be visible walking the dog at night, but this won’t show as much dirt.”

  “Does your mom know what a practical,

  accommodating daughter she raised?” Alice asked cheerfully, helping her lift the bags into the car.

  “My practical side isn’t the one she most appreciates,” Tess answered. “And I’m quite sure she doesn’t consider me accommodating. Strong willed, inconsiderate and unrel
enting have all been discussed.”

  “You have a lot of your mom in you, that’s all. Ye gads, what do you have in these bags?” Alice piped, a curious look in her sparkly green eyes.

  “Don’t ask. But Grandma Angliotti sent along a tin of her hazelnut biscotti for the office, and I got a cashmere twin set for you. I hope it’s your color.”

  “Oh, so do I.” Alice slammed the hatchback, Tess climbed in the passenger seat, and they headed for Green Junction.

  8

  Angel Flyin’ Too Close To The Ground Alice offered to stick around to help unpack. When Tess gave her the cashmere twin set, she exclaimed, “This is an absolutely gorgeous green!”

  “Hey, you’ve been my anchor though all of this, it’s the least I could do. I really appreciate it, Alice. I thought the bottle green color would look great with your eyes.”

  “Oh, it will. Thank you! Are you going back for Thanksgiving?”

  “My sister is there with my dad this week, and after that

  my mom can manage. But I might go home for the holiday.

  I guess it depends on Jake.”

  The apartment felt empty without Rhiannon, so when

  Alice suggested they grab a burger at Green Forks, it was

  easy to say yes. “Why not call Jake, let him know you’re

  back?” Alice suggested. Determined to be strong, Tess

  answered, “No way, he knows how to find me.”

  She’d brushed her teeth and climbed between cold

  sheets when her cell buzzed.

  “Hey, Tess.”

  “How are you, Jake?”.

  Jake cleared his throat. “We’re fine, here. How’s your

  dad?”

  “Doing well, considering. The heart attack slowed him

  down, but he’s coming along.”

  “Tilda and I looked after Rhiannon. Cassie’s really

  excited about these puppies.”

  She remembered how she’d been at Cassie’s age,

  fascinated by tiny newborn animals, the miracle of birth.

  “Did she get the books on puppies I sent?”