Third Time's the Charm

by Talley, Liz

  “You need someone to.”

  “How about I do it myself? I’m capable. I sort of forgot that, but now I’m remembering how good I am when I put my mind to it.” Her mother didn’t respond. Which meant she either agreed or didn’t care enough to answer. “Oh, and after the game, I thought we’d get some ice cream and then go by the Arbor. The director’s going to take us on a tour.”

  “Hell to the no. I told you I ain’t going to no old folks’ home.” Half of Betty’s mouth pressed into a line. The other half drooped.

  “It’s not an old folks’ home. It’s a retirement community. They have a pool and a game room. There’s a walking trail.”

  “News flash. I can’t walk.”

  “But you can steer and get outside to enjoy the day. In fact, if the sidewalks at the house were smoother, you could walk Fancy.”

  “I don’t want to walk your stupid dog. When are you getting rid of it anyway? I’ve been sneezing from all that dog hair.”

  Sunny smiled because over the past three weeks, her mother had secretly fed Fancy bacon and she even caught the dog sleeping with Betty one afternoon. Betty had claimed the dog had gotten out of her kennel and she couldn’t get Fancy off the bed, but Sunny knew there was no way the dog unlocked her own kennel. Either the aide or her mother had let Fancy out. “I’m trying. The rescue is looking for a place to buy where we can house the animals.”

  “We ain’t keeping that mutt until they find a place. That could be forever. And I’m not going to the Arbor.”

  “We’re just going on a tour. That’s all,” Sunny said, turning her attention back to the game as Woozy came off the bench. She clapped and cheered for him. He caught her eye, apparently pleased she’d come to watch him play in the Walt R. Grigsby Memorial Classic. The big kid came to visit her in the attendance office a few times a week. He still called her Red and had promised to come help her and Grace at the adopt-a-pet event they were holding in front of Seaver’s Hardware next weekend.

  After the game, she introduced her mother to Woozy—Betty thankfully didn’t tell him his name was stupid—and then took the grump to the Lazy Frog for ice cream. Sassy gave them each an extra scoop on the house, and Betty was cordial if not friendly. It was a vast improvement over her last outing downtown.

  “I hear Eden’s heading to New York City,” Sassy said, wiping down the table beside them.

  “Who said?” Betty asked, smearing vanilla ice cream on her chin. Sunny reached over and swiped at it, and her mother gave her the evil eye, taking the napkin from her and mopping her own chin. “Eden hasn’t said a thing to me.”

  “She told me. I can’t believe I forgot to tell you,” Sunny said.

  “Well, why would you? I’m just her mother after all.” Betty made an ugly face.

  Sunny hadn’t heard anything from her sister since she’d left. Sunny had been dirty and sweaty and still working in the backyard when Eden had come by to say goodbye. Her boyfriend slash boss had stayed in the van with his daughter as her sister slunk into the house and back out, tossing Sunny a wave and another look of apology. Sunny had gotten over her indignation at her sister and friends trying to give her the bracelet, but she wasn’t going to make it that easy on Eden. Fact was, it had hurt her feelings, and if she had found the bracelet, she would have made sure her sister took it back. But the thing had disappeared.

  “Sorry. I overheard Rosemary saying something to Sal and assumed you knew.” Sassy disappeared as quick as chocolate cake in a teacher’s lounge. Sunny knew how fast that was. She hadn’t gotten a piece of Mrs. Turner’s forty-fifth-birthday cake. Gone by nine thirty on a Monday morning.

  “I thought she was doing good at that fancy speakeasy place on Bourbon,” Betty said, shrugging a shoulder. “I always wanted to go to NYC. Made it to Philly once but ended up hitchhiking back to Mississippi. That was before I had you. Once I had a bunch of kids, those days were over. I’m glad Eden’s doing something with her life. You ain’t gotta go to college to make it.”

  “She deserves some success.” And that was the truth. Spending almost three months caring for their mother was enough to drive Sunny to drink. Eden had done it for ten years. Ten… long… years.

  Half an hour later, Sunny loaded her mother back into the van and set off for the retirement community that sat not far from the highway leading out of town. The Arbor had been modeled after an antebellum house with two distinct wings. One was for Alzheimer’s patients and the elderly who were so sick they couldn’t function without around-the-clock care. The other side was for retirees, including a string of small cottages that were more like patio homes. The attractive apartments offered autonomy for older adults who were still active.

  “What the hell? No. I said I ain’t going.” Betty clenched the arm of her chair with her good hand and shook her head.

  “The least you can do is look, Mama. That’s all I’m asking. It’s not a nursing home. It’s a retirement community.”

  “I ain’t retired.”

  “Well, you damn sure aren’t working anymore, Miss Legz 2001. You kinda shot your wad when you OD’d and then nearly died. There are plenty of people living here who aren’t even as old as you. Hilda Klingman’s sister Jude lives here.”

  “She’s retarded.”

  “That’s politically incorrect and hurtful, Mama.”

  “I ain’t interested in being politically anything, and I ain’t going to a home. I got a home.”

  Sunny sighed. She needed her mama to at least consider moving to a place where she could be cared for if she was to have any hope of leaving Morning Glory and going to California by late summer. Glancing back, she prepared to do battle with Betty, but what she saw stopped her cold.

  Tears streamed down her mother’s face.

  “Mama?” Sunny said, swallowing the fussing she was about to do.

  “I don’t want to go to some old person’s place, Sunny. I’m not old.”

  “I know you’re not old, but you have to have someone care for you.” Guilt pooled in her, and for the first time she wondered if she might be wrong for coercing her mother to go somewhere she didn’t want to go. Yes, she had selfish motivation—she didn’t want to stay in Morning Glory—but she also wanted more for her mother than sitting in a falling-down house watching TV. Her mother was correct—she wasn’t that old. Not even sixty.

  “That’s what you’re doing, ain’t ya?” Betty swiped the tears with her good hand, looking pissed that she hadn’t been able to control the emotion. “What the hell you so ready to leave Morning Glory for? You just got here, and you ain’t got nothing to go to anyway.”

  “I don’t want to live here, Mama.”

  “Then take me with you, ’cause I don’t want to live here either. I never did.” Betty turned away and looked out at the snapdragons blooming in the bed around the Arbor’s sign. “But we don’t always get what we want, do we?”

  Sunny cranked the van. “I guess we don’t.”

  She texted the director and told her that something had come up and they’d have to reschedule their tour, then she pulled out of the parking lot and headed back toward Grover’s Park.

  After five minutes of silent driving, Betty said, “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome,” Sunny said, something she hadn’t felt for her mother in a long time stirring inside her. Compassion, understanding, and connection.

  And that was as scary as anything she’d felt since she’d arrived in Mississippi.

  Henry watched as Grace shook the hands of the family who’d just adopted two sibling tabby kittens and posed for the official adoption picture that would go on the rescue website. All the volunteers clapped as the two little girls cradled their kittens and gave gap-toothed grins. It was almost like a commercial.

  “Congrats on your new baby,” he heard Sunny say before handing the father of the twins the plastic bag containing the adoption information.

  Henry walked in circles with Rex, the oversized, fluffy dog that had just been n
eutered. The dog had given him a head duck when Henry first pulled Rex from the crate. It was as if the poor beast knew he’d been emasculated and was embarrassed. Henry had given him an extra treat because he sympathized with Rex. Couldn’t be easy to lose the jewels.

  Landry sat next to Sunny, putting together packets while Katie Clare walked up and down this side of the square with a stack of flyers, doing her best to drum up business. A very pregnant Jillian and her husband were celebrating their anniversary weekend in Memphis, so he’d gotten an extra weekend with the kids. They were pleased as punch that it was the same weekend as the first Sunshine Animal Rescue adoption event. So far two dogs and the kittens had been adopted, which was pretty good considering it was their first event.

  Henry had talked to Grace about converting his barn into a temporary shelter for the animals, and Grace had been thrilled. They’d explored permits, filed them, and with the green light given by county officials, he’d started prepping for the facility. Grace had agreed to keep quiet for the time being. Once the kennels were built, they’d make next month’s board meeting a field trip to the Sunshine Animal Rescue.

  He knew Sunny would be thrilled.

  He glanced over at her. Sunny had brought Fancy, but Henry could swear that she’d been hiding the dog from any interested adopters. The dog hadn’t left her spot at Sunny’s feet.

  “Hello,” someone said behind him.

  Henry turned to find a young couple standing there.

  “Oh hey,” he said, trying to prevent himself from tripping over Rex’s leash.

  “That little girl gave us this flyer,” the guy said, holding up a Sunshine Animal Rescue adoption event circular and motioning toward Katie Clare, who looked danged proud of herself. She gave Henry a thumbs-up and a cheesy grin.

  “Did she force you to come over? I’m sorry. She’s determined.”

  The man laughed. “That she is, but actually we’ve been talking about getting a rescue, so it felt providential.” He extended his hand. “I’m Ben. This is my wife Marie. We moved to a place just outside Morning Glory a few months ago.”

  “Nice to meet y’all. I’m Henry Delmar. I’m a volunteer. Now Grace, right over there, is our fearless leader. She can tell you more about the organization and what dogs are available.”

  Ben rubbed Rex’s head. “Hiya, boy. You’re sure a big fella. Is this one available?”

  Marie shook her head. “No, he’s much too big, Ben. I’m thinking I want a female anyway.”

  Uh-oh.

  “Yeah, well, we have one girl. Her name is Fancy. She’s right underneath our other volunteer over there.” He pointed toward Sunny and immediately felt guilty. Sunny loved that dog so much. He wasn’t sure if she shouldn’t just keep Fancy. It was pretty obvious to everyone that letting Fancy go would be harder than Sunny thought.

  The couple turned to where Sunny sat, absentmindedly stroking Fancy.

  “Oh, she’s really cute,” Marie said, walking over.

  Sunny looked up and smiled. But her smile wavered when Marie sank to her knees and started petting Fancy.

  Henry wrangled Rex and followed the couple over to the table.

  “How old is she?” Marie asked, smiling at the dog and tugging her husband down so he could pet Fancy.

  “Uh, the vet thinks she’s maybe two years old.” Sunny bit her lower lip before rising and taking Fancy’s lead so she could round the table. The dog obediently followed and seemed to enjoy the couple’s attention. “She’s a mixed breed, but as you can see, mostly Australian cattle dog.”

  “Oh, like a blue heeler? Those are great dogs I hear,” Ben said, rubbing Fancy’s head.

  “Yeah, that’s another name for the breed. They’re very loyal, like to herd, and need a lot of space.” Sunny watched the couple carefully, her expression undecipherable.

  “We have five acres and some chickens,” Marie said, smiling as Fancy sank onto her haunches and lifted her head so they could scratch beneath her chin. “What do you think, Ben? Think this sweetie would be a good one? We have lots of room.”

  Henry glanced at Sunny. He could tell she was trying very hard to be positive and smile. But he knew she’d fallen in love with Fancy, whether she wanted to admit it or not.

  “Well, she would probably like a big place. She has a lot of energy,” Sunny said, trying on another smile.

  Grace toddled over. “Hey, guys. Y’all looking for a new family pet? Sunny’s been taking very good care of this one. She rescued Fancy herself.”

  “Fancy, huh? Well, what’s wrong with the fur under her neck?” Marie asked, her eyes narrowing. She pulled back her hand and rubbed it on her shorts.

  “She had sarcoptic mange, but it’s nearly healed. Don’t worry. It’s not contagious. She sleeps with me, don’t you, girl?” Sunny said. She looked down at Fancy with so much love in her eyes that Henry almost took Ben’s elbow and steered the man and his wife away from the table. Yet it wasn’t his call to make.

  “Hmm,” Marie said, looking at her husband. “I like her name. Fancy is cute.”

  “Have you owned a dog before?” Grace asked as the couple rose and faced her.

  “My mom had a poodle,” Ben said, looking at his wife. “And didn’t you grow up with a cocker spaniel?”

  “Yeah, Muffin. She was such a pretty girl. I had thought I wanted one of those again, but this one’s nice too.” Marie looked back at Fancy. The little traitor thumped her tail as she once again became the center of attention.

  “Come on over and let’s talk about the qualifications for adopting a dog,” Grace said, moving toward the table where she’d placed all the adoption paperwork. The couple followed, but Sunny stayed put, looking down at Fancy.

  Rex tugged on the leash, but Henry ignored him and moved closer to Sunny. “Are you sure you want to let her be adopted?”

  Sunny shrugged. “Of course. That was the goal. They seem like nice people.”

  “Yeah, I guess, but—”

  “She needs owners like them. She needs a family. Besides, they have a big place, room for her to run. She’s cooped up with me.”

  “I think she likes being cooped up with you.”

  Sunny shot him a warning look. “Don’t do that. You know I can’t keep her. I have a motorcycle and I’m going out west. I’ll have to find a place, and if I had a dog it would just be harder.” Sunny squared her shoulders and sighed. “Yeah, Fancy deserves a better life, one a family can give her.”

  Henry hated when she talked about moving. Made his gut ache, or something close to his gut. “You’re right. She deserves a family, but aren’t you her family?”

  “We could do it, Dad,” Landry said, rising and looking about as excited as a fifteen-year-old teenager could. Which was slightly more than mildly interested.

  “A dog isn’t a capricious decision, Landry. Your father said he didn’t want a pet until he built his house,” Sunny said.

  “Well, Dad’s working on our house now. It’ll be done in a month or two,” Landry said, leaning down and calling Fancy by slapping his thighs. The dog waggled over. Fancy had put on some weight, and her fur had grown thicker. Her tongue lolled out like she was laughing, and she looked about as happy as a dog could look. Being rescued by Sunny had agreed with Fancy.

  He turned his attention to Sunny. She’d cut her hair so it fell softly against her shoulders, and praise Jesus, she was back to being the blonde he remembered. She was still thin, but she somehow looked softer and more at peace. Seemed being rescued by Fancy agreed with Sunny.

  “You’re building a house? I remember you said you’d bought some land, but I had no idea you’d started. I mean, it’s none of my business though, so…” She looked embarrassed that she’d said anything. She glanced over at the couple with Grace and then back at Fancy and Landry.

  “I actually started on the house a while back, but when Clem sold his business and had to wrap up some projects, I told him it was fine to take a break. Spring’s making me feel like it’s time
to get it finished. I’ve been in my parents’ apartment too long, and the kids need more space. I wanted to wait until we were all settled before adding another stressor, but if Fancy’s not adopted before you, uh, leave”—he could hardly get those words out—“maybe that’s a sign.”

  “It would be perfect for her. There’s even a pond,” Landry said, rubbing Fancy’s ears and dropping a kiss on her head. The sight of his teen kissing that dog did something funny to Henry’s gut.

  “Let’s see what happens,” Henry said, not wanting to commit to adopting Fancy. He believed with all his heart the dog belonged with Sunny, that Fancy was one more tentacle intent on keeping Sunny in Morning Glory.

  “A pond, huh?” Sunny managed another smile. “Your dad always liked to fish. You remember that time you caught that old boot?”

  He was glad to get off the subject of the house. For some reason, he didn’t want her to know he’d built a house on the land they’d always coveted. But then again, that was silly. He had every right to buy the land he wanted and build a house on it. It had been their dream, but now it was his reality. Still, he felt weird about it. “Yeah, I thought I had landed ol’ Granddaddy, and instead it was an old cowboy boot.”

  Sunny laughed. “You were so certain you were going to mount that lunker on your bedroom wall.”

  “Yeah, and then you mounted that boot and gave it to me for my birthday,” he said, grinning at the memory. Sunny had always had a good sense of humor. She’d been so amused at herself. He still had that silly mounted boot somewhere in his storage shed. Couldn’t bring himself to throw it away.

  Landry looked up at them and rolled his eyes. “Y’all are weird.”

  “No, we’re not. It was funny,” Henry said.

  Grace walked over. “Hey, the Boltons are considering adopting Fancy girl. They want to talk it over first. But that’s good news, huh?”

  “Sure,” Sunny said, growing sober.

  “You sure you still want to do this, Sunny?” Grace waved at the Boltons as they walked across the square toward an SUV.

  “Yeah, that’s been the plan all along. She deserves a happy family.”