Women of Washington Avenue

by Linda Apple

  Well, great. One more thing to worry about. Wedding flowers, fireworks between Nathan and Lexi, Scott’s chastening, and now Jema. What in the world was wrong with her? The phone rang and scared the bejezus out of me.

  “Hello?”

  “Where in this hayseed place am I?”

  “It’s good to talk to you too, Nate.”

  “Sorry. How are you?”

  “Crazy. Didn’t you get a GPS?”

  “Yes, but I don’t know how to use the darned thing. I take taxis, remember?”

  “You are such a diva.” Lexi was going to eat this man for lunch. “What was the last town you passed?”

  “Tup something.”

  “Tupelo.”

  “Sounds right.”

  “You are almost here then. Just turn north on the Natchez Trace. That’s the easiest way when you don’t know where you are going. Then take the Moonlight exit. And do not go over the speed limit. There is no tolerance. The police will nail your rear.”

  “I can just imagine. I’m getting Bubba vibes all over the place. It’ll be awhile before I get there. I think I’ll stop for breakfast at one of the local cafés.”

  “Be sure and get grits.” I snickered.

  “Why do I suddenly feel alarmed?”

  “No need to be alarmed. They’re good. Really. With a lot of butter, salt, and pepper.”

  “Maybe, but I’m not promising anything. Now, if I take about forty-five minutes for breakfast, how long will it take to drive to Moonlight?”

  “About an hour.”

  “Then I’ll see you in a couple of hours. That gives me time to get lost a few times.”

  “You really need to learn how to operate a GPS.”

  “I do. Just didn’t think I needed it.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “I’ll sign off for now. But keep your phone on and close.”

  “All right. See you in a few. I’ll have hot coffee ready and just so you know, saying no to my Momma when she offers you food is the ultimate insult.”

  “Shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll eat a light breakfast. Skip the grits.”

  “Good. Be careful.”

  “Bye, beautiful.”

  “Bye.”

  Momma walked in on the last of my conversation. “Who was that?’

  “Nathan Wolfe.”

  “Oh my goodness, is he nearly here? I don’t have a thing ready.”

  “Really, Mom? We can hardly shut the refrigerator door. And someone has to eat all this cake and pie to make room for all the cooking you are going to be doing for the wedding.”

  “I can’t serve a guest leftovers. Especially one from New York.”

  “Don’t worry about it Mom. He’s here on business. He’ll probably eat out most of the time. And when Scott comes tomorrow—”

  “—Oh Lordy, I forgot about him. I need to make a list. Honey, run to Pigg’s for me, will you?”

  “Momma, relax. There is plenty. And while I’m thinking about it, do you remember how he was always on my case about my weight?

  She nodded. “Yes, I do.”

  “I want you to do your best and put a few pounds on Scott just for meanness.”

  “Well, when I visited, he didn’t hold back on anything I cooked. Best I can remember, he ate everything.”

  “I know. And since his guard will be down. We can empty out the freezer. Fry chicken, fry catfish, and feed skinny Scott. Okay?”

  “Oooooh.” A conspirator gleam glinted in her eyes. She clicked her tongue. “Gotcha.”

  The little yellow bird on the Swiss chalet clock cheeped nine o’clock. I had just enough time to meet Ty and Molly Kate at her new house to talk about decoration plans. Ty’s job was to take pictures of all the areas where she wanted flowers so I could custom design the arrangements for that space.

  “I’m gone, Mom. I’m meeting Ty and Molly at the mansion. I’ll be back in about an hour.” I clutched my purse and ran out the door.

  The Norton place, or should I say the Montgomery place, was beautiful any season of the year. Even in winter. The white columned lady stood gracefully on her generous acreage. Winter had stripped the lush greenery from the old oak trees, exhibiting their twisted branches like fine sculptures. The blooms were gone from the crepe myrtles, azaleas, and rose bushes leaving lacy stems and shoots. Grandiose magnolia trees stood around her like evergreen sentinels. Their leaves and pods would make beautiful arrangements and lavish garlands.

  Molly stepped on the porch and called out, “Well? What do you think?”

  “I think I’m positively green with envy. That’s what I think.”

  “Well, don’t be. We are turning this into a business. A B&B.” She hugged herself and shivered. “It’s getting chilly. Get yourself inside, and I’ll tell you all about it. Ty is already here.”

  I wandered up the gentle slope of the brick walkway toward the double mahogany front doors. This walk and entrance needed something to make a fabulous statement. I wanted a picture.

  “Wait. Before I come in, would you tell Ty I need him and to bring his camera?”

  She nodded and went inside. Soon Ty jogged out.

  “Hi, babe.”

  With just two words he threw my mind spinning in another direction. I needed to focus.

  “Morning. Would you mind taking pictures of the walk, the front of the house, and the door?”

  “Do I get a kiss?”

  “What? No. We are working now.”

  “Now?” He winked. “That means there will be a later.”

  I gave him my most serious glare. “Get to work.”

  He stuck out his lip. “Yes, ma’am.”

  While he took pictures, I admired the covered porch which spanned the front of the house, the ornate columns, the full length black shuttered windows, and the cut-glass transom window fanning over the doors. When I was a little girl I used to stand on the sidewalk and wish I could see what it looked like inside. I wanted to play house on the porch and run in the yard. And now, I get to finally see inside. Who knows? This summer, I may just run in the yard.

  “All finished.” Ty took my hand and intertwined his fingers with mine. My business-like resolve vaporized.

  When we stepped into the foyer, I caught my breath. I expected it to be lovely, but not this magnificent. The dark oak floors were so polished they reflected everything in the room. The walls were creamy white and trimmed with decorative molding from floor to ceiling. But the most elegant feature was the winding staircase. It had white risers and mahogany steps and balusters. A mahogany rail swept gracefully to the second floor and across the landing.

  “Molly Kate Fairchild. This is more beautiful than I could possibly have imagined. And to think, you own it now. I can’t believe it.”

  Molly sighed and looked around. “Me either.” She placed her hand on my shoulder. “And I’m relieved you are decorating it for the wedding. I wouldn’t have the first clue where to start.”

  Without me asking, Ty started snapping photos.

  A round rosewood table stood to the left at the base of the stairs. I caressed the smooth surface and turned to Molly. “This would be a lovely place for a huge arrangement of white roses, white calla lilies, and maybe white poinsettias.” I surveyed staircase. “Are you going to walk down the stairs for your wedding march?”

  “Have you lost your ever-lovin mind? I’d kill myself.” Molly took my hand. “Are you finished in here? I want you to see the east wing.” She lifted her palms. “Doesn’t that sound silly coming from me?”

  Ty spoke up. “Well, now that you mention it...”

  She tossed him a look. “Oh, hush up.”

  After a tour upstairs, we followed her into a large parlor. Adjoining the south side of the room was a double doorway opening into a large turret, a round room that appeared to have been used as a ballroom at one time. The ceiling had to be at least fourteen feet high with twelve-foot windows all around the circumference, except for one, which looked just like the other
windows but was actually a door that opened to the plaza in the back. The windows were exquisitely trimmed in the most intricate molding I’ve ever seen.

  “Molly, I have to ask. How on earth—”

  “—could we afford it?”

  I felt my face heat. “Well, yeah.”

  “Stan sold some stock which covered most of it. A developer has hounded him for over a year now wanting to buy his farm, and he is willing to pay top dollar.”

  “So how much acreage does Stan have?”

  “A lot. Stan said it used to be a beautiful area, but when all the adjoining properties turned industrial, the quality of the land really deteriorated. The streams are dirty, and the animals are all but gone.

  “The man who wants it plans to build a gated community, clean everything up, and make it a haven for young families. That was the deciding factor for Stan. He’s meeting with the buyer soon. If all goes well, we’ll have enough to pay off this house, buy the furniture in it, and still have a nice inheritance for his boys. A real nice inheritance for them.”

  “Wow. That’s amazing.”

  Ty put his arm around Molly. “I know I’m just a guy and all, but in my opinion this would be the perfect room for the ceremony. Have you thought of that?”

  “We wondered if this might be the best place, but we also wanted to have a room for dancing.”

  “As a matter of fact, you can do both.” I turned to her. “Where is the reception going to be?”

  “In the dining room.”

  “Well, while that is going on, you can hire some guys to rearrange the chairs, no problem. Is your dining room large enough for a reception?”

  “I think so. Follow me.”

  We strolled through the parlor and passed through the foyer into a large dining room. Molly pointed to the wide window facing the west.

  “We can put the cake and hors d’oeuvres there and set up round tables in the middle.”

  I nodded at Ty, and he started shooting. “Did you hire a band?”

  “Yes, and I’m so excited. I’ve arranged for the Stardust Big Band to play. My guests can dance all night long.”

  “Oh yeah.” Ty smirked. “That’s exactly what Stan will want to do.”

  She didn’t miss a beat. “Hey, I didn’t say me and Stan. Just do me a favor and lock the door when y’all leave, okay. We’ll be busy.”

  “You got it, MK.”

  I thought about Momma. “Hey, is it all right to bring Momma over so she can see if the kitchen is to her liking.”

  “By all means. You want to see it now?”

  “Sure.” Molly led us to what had to equal if not surpass the kitchen at the country club. “I have a feeling it will pass Momma’s muster with flying colors.” I checked my watch. An hour and a half had already flown by. “Ohmigosh.” I hugged Molly. I gotta run. Nathan will be here any moment.”

  “Oh boy.” Molly shook her head. “Nathan versus Lexi. Won’t this be fun to watch?”

  “Loads.”

  Ty frowned. “Nathan?”

  “A friend. Drop by later.”

  He reached for me, but I slipped by and dashed to the car.

  Kissing the air I called over my shoulder. “See y’all later.”

  Twenty minutes after I walked into my house the phone rang.

  “Hello Nate.”

  “I’m by a lake.”

  “Good. You are almost here. Go down Main Avenue to Washington Avenue, four lights down. Take a right on Washington, and we are on the corner of Washington and Moon Vine. It’s the two-story house with a wraparound porch.”

  “With slaves working the cotton fields?”

  “Oh, hush up, jerk.”

  “Kidding. Be there in a sec. Is the coffee ready?”

  “It will be.”

  “Great. See ya.”

  I hung up the phone and started the coffee. In no time, Nate pulled in the driveway. I peeked out the kitchen window and noticed he had someone with him. Oh Lord. The last thing I needed was another houseguest. As much as I liked Nate, I wanted to wring his neck like a chicken. He got out of the car, but the person with him stayed inside. I guess he was at least going to ask permission first. Obviously he’d forgotten about Scott. His steps sounded on the porch and then the doorbell rang.

  I swung the door open and there he stood in all his New York City glory—tight jeans, black pea coat, gray sweater, black and gray scarf. And whatever cologne he wore came from the gods.

  “Hello, Avalee. Good to see you.”

  “Hi Nate. It’s good to see you, and you don’t smell bad either. Come on in. Coffee’s ready. You might want to invite whoever is in the car, too.”

  “Oh, yeah, I have a little surprise for you.”

  “Surprise, huh?”

  “Yeah, go inside and pour three cups. No peeking. Promise?”

  More than a little curious, I promised and returned to the kitchen. My back was to the door when someone called, “Girrrrlll, how much weight have you gained?”

  I whirled around. “Scott!” He opened his arms in time for me to fly into them. “I can’t believe it.”

  “Surprised?”

  “Beyond surprised.” I nestled into his jacket. His cologne was even more incredible than Nate’s. But Scott always had impeccable taste.

  Nate picked up his coffee grinning. I turned to him. “Did you have something to do with this?”

  “He sure did,” said Scott. “It made no sense for both of us to be driving from Memphis a day apart. Nate called and suggested we go together. So I got my special airport connection to change my ticket, no charge of course, and here I am.”

  Nate glanced at the smiling vegetables on Momma’s kitchen walls and tried to suppress a grimace. Scott’s mouth parted when he noticed the pink Depression glass in the corner hutch.

  Yep, introducing these boys to the south was going to be fun. No doubt Scott would love it. Nate? I wasn’t so sure.

  The mudroom door slammed, and Momma called, “Avalee?”

  “In the kitchen, Momma.” I put my hands on Scott and Nate’s shoulders. “Boys, you are in for a treat. I hope you are hungry.”

  Scott leaned over to Nate. “She isn’t kidding. When Miss Cladie first visited Avalee in New York, she insisted I try fried green tomatoes. I drove her all over Manhattan looking for them, and we actually found some. I ate so many I made myself sick. Man, they were good.”

  Mom came bustling in and stopped short when she saw the boys. “Why, Scott. You came early.” She strode to him and gave him a big hug. Then she looked at Nate. “And you must be Nathan.” He held his hand out, which she ignored, and gave him a big hug, too.

  “I see Avalee has made you coffee. How about some pecan pie to go with that?”

  Nate opened his mouth, but Scott elbowed him and said, “We’d love some, Miss Cladie.” He gestured to a chair. “Wouldn’t we, Nate?”

  He nodded. “Love some.”

  While we ate, Momma chatted with Scott and got caught up on his life since she saw him last. Nate listened with interest. I could see a story formulating in his head. Nothing escaped his study.

  Someone knocked at the kitchen door, and before I could stand, Ty opened it. “I smell coffee.”

  Momma hailed him with her hand. “Come on in. I’ve got pie to go with that coffee.”

  “I knew you’d have something good to eat, and I’m starving.”

  “Ty, I’d like you to meet Scott.”

  “Ah, the roommate and best friend.” He shook Scott’s hand. “Glad I finally get to meet you.”

  “My pleasure, believe me.”

  Did I detect a slight blush in Ty’s face? I held my hand toward Nate. “And this is Nathan Wolfe.”

  “Pleased to meet you.” He shook Nate’s hand. “I enjoy your work.”

  Of course this made an instant impression on Nate. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

  Ty turned his back to us as he poured coffee. Scott eyed him up and down, then mouthed to me, “He’s gorge
ous.”

  I mouthed back, “And straight.”

  With mug in hand, Ty sat next to me. “Avalee, we need to go back to Molly Kate’s. I’ve been looking over the pictures, and I have a few ideas I’d like to run by you.”

  Yeah, right. He wasn’t fooling me. Mr. Nathan Wolfe had him worried. “Okay.” I looked at Scott and Nathan. “Would you guys like to come?”

  “Not me, sorry.” Nathan set his fork on the empty plate. “I need to go over some things and get a plan of action for the next few days.”

  Scott stood and took the plates. “I’d love to go. Is the house nice?”

  Ty peeked up at me. “Oh, you could say that.”

  “Momma? You need to come, too. I want you to see the kitchen.”

  She jumped up. “Love to. Let me get my purse.” On her way out, she snatched the dishes from Scott. “You are a guest in this home. I don’t want you doing the dishes.” She turned to Ty. “Would you run tell Felix where I’ve gone?”

  “Sure, Miss Cladie.”

  When Nathan, Ty, and Momma left the room, Scott settled back in his chair and nailed me with a look.

  “Spill.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Oh, come on. I’m not blind. That man is hot for you.”

  “Scott. He’s Marc’s baby brother. He’s twelve years younger than me.”

  “And your point is?”

  “I’m too old for him.”

  “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard you say, and you’ve said some doozies.” He scooted closer to me. “That man has fallen for you. And I think you are falling for him.”

  “Oh, give me a break. You’ve been here less than an hour. How could you come up with such nonsense?”

  “Lady, I can read you like a menu, and you are hungry. So is he. And don’t give me that age thing. The only place you are old is inside.” He sat back and crossed his leg over the other. “And you better do something about it.”

  I studied my dear friend. He was about the most handsome man I had ever seen. Dark brown hair and even darker eyes. And his expression was always a mix of sweetness and mischief. Unfortunately, his body was as toned as ever. But if Mom and I had anything to do with that, he’d pack on some pounds before he left. Lord it was good having him here.

  “We’re ready.” Ty’s gaze met mine and Scott’s words, you better do something about it, replayed in my mind.