The Package

by Sharon Dunn

  “Mom made me come,” Mackenzie said. “I am only here so Erin would feel comfortable about coming.” Mackenzie leaned toward the girl sitting next to her.

  “And this is Erin.” Mary Beth placed a hand on the shoulder of the third girl.

  Erin bent her head so far forward that her straight brown hair covered most of her face. As though she was balancing a ball on top of her head, she craned her neck slowly and offered Annie and Alice the faintest of smiles.

  Something in Erin’s expression tugged at Annie’s heart. Like a turtle going back into her shell, Erin bent her head again and stared at her hot-pink canvas high-tops. Except for the shoes, Erin was dressed in brown and beige. Wearing the shoes seemed like an act of bravery on Erin’s part.

  “We are expecting one more girl.” Mary Beth glanced toward the store entrance.

  A girl whose most prominent feature was her purple lipstick and black hair entered the store and made a beeline for the group. “I’m here.”

  “And this is Taylor,” said Mary Beth.

  Taylor patted her chest with her palm. “Sorry, I am out of breath. I rode my bike over.” Taylor had a beautiful smile.

  Lily sat with her back as straight as a board, turned slightly sideways in the chair with her hands folded in her lap. “My mother dropped me off in her new Cadillac.”

  “Who cares how you got here?” Mackenzie narrowed her eyes at Lily, who drew her mouth into a straight, hard line.

  Mary Beth cleared her throat as though trying to get rid of some of the tension that had entered the room. “And this is Alice and Annie. Annie is going to get us started with crocheting today.”

  “And I do cross-stitch. But I will help out as much as I can with the other lessons,” said Alice.

  “Each of the girls made a lap quilt for the last class, so I thought we would start by showing off their projects.” Mary Beth indicated a far wall where four quilts had been hung.

  Annie walked over to the displayed quilts. The first quilt was done in yellow solids and prints in a Log Cabin design. Though the quilt was well pieced and stitched, there was something mechanical about it, as though the designer had followed directions exactly but made only safe choices. The second quilt was simple: nine blocks in red, white, and blue solids and prints. On closer examination, Annie saw that the patriotic quilt had no hand stitching. The machine stitching looked hurried and imprecise, as though the quilter had made up the design as she sewed. The third quilt looked almost antique in its design and fabric. The quilter had not gone with safe color choices, though everything seemed to blend. Pastel blues, rose shades, tan, gray, and just a touch of green all came together beautifully. The effect was calming, like a quiet spring day. The final piece was a crazy quilt done in animal prints. Though the stitching was uneven and coming undone in some places, there was something daring and inspired about the quilt.

  “I have an idea.” Taylor, who hadn’t sat down since she arrived, bounced from foot to foot. “How about you guys guess who did which quilt?”

  Alice raised a playful eyebrow toward Annie. “I’m game.”

  Annie nodded.

  “OK, quilt number one.” Taylor pointed at the yellow quilt and hummed a game-show theme.

  Annie and Alice looked at each other and said in unison. “Lily.”

  Taylor made a positive “you’re right” game-show noise. “Now quilt number two.”

  Alice whispered in Annie’s ear. “Erin?”

  Annie studied the patriotic quilt. “I think it is her sister’s.”

  Alice nodded in agreement and then said, “Mackenzie.”

  This time Lily and Mary Beth joined in on making the “you’re right” noise. Everyone laughed.

  “And now quilt number three.”

  “Erin,” Annie blurted.

  “I agree,” said Alice.

  Taylor made a “you’re wrong” game-show noise. “I knew you were going to think I did the animal print crazy quilt.” Annie hadn’t noticed it at first, but Taylor had emerald-green eyes. Under the purple lipstick and dark eye shadow was a very pretty girl. Her enthusiasm was infectious.

  Annie walked over to the crazy quilt. “Erin, you did this one?”

  Erin lifted her head and nodded. “I know it’s not very good.”

  Part of Annie had wanted Erin to be the one with the quilting gift. Maybe that was why she had thought the quiet girl had done the quilt that demonstrated the most natural ability. Annie touched the crazy quilt. “Erin, I think this is inspired.”

  The compliment caused color to rise in Erin’s cheeks.

  Annie studied the last two quilts again. She’d made assumptions about people based on first impressions. Did the designs indicate the artists’ emotional state, not who they were on the outside? Taylor, despite an initial impression of being a rebel, connected with people and seemed to have an inner confidence, and quiet Erin was a crazy quilt done in animal prints with unraveling stitches.

  Kate came and stood behind Mackenzie’s chair. “Looks like I am just in time for the lesson.”

  “Ladies, get your hooks out,” commanded Taylor.

  “All the girls have already picked out a crochet hook and yarn,” Mary Beth said.

  Taylor’s good humor seemed to lighten the mood of the girls a great deal.

  Annie looked up at Kate. “How should we do this?”

  “Why don’t I start crocheting and talk the girls through it, and you and Alice can go around to any girl who needs help?”

  “I won’t need any help,” Lily chirped. “My mother taught me how to crochet.”

  “How long are we going to spend on this, anyway?” Mackenzie slumped in her seat.

  “I thought we would go through week by week and just kind of sample crocheting, knitting, and cross-stitch, and then if there is something you really like, you can select a bigger project.”

  “Those quilts were fun, but I wish we could do a project that was something different from making stuff for ourselves.” Taylor finally took a seat. She pulled a crochet hook and yarn from her backpack.

  “You mean like do something for the community?” Lily pulled a ball of green yarn from the bag beside her. “Maybe make some things and sell them to raise money for a charity.”

  “That’s a great idea, Lily,” Kate said.

  “The cheerleading squad and the football team could use extra funds,” Mackenzie added.

  “What about the school band?” suggested Lily. “I play the flute, and this year we are planning a trip to a big competition in Portland.”

  The bell for the store door dinged. “I’ll get this one, Kate.” Mary Beth rose from her chair and made her way across the store as several women came in.

  “We’d have to come up with something that we all could agree on,” Taylor added.

  Kate lifted her crochet hook. “Just keep brainstorming. I’m sure we will think of a good project. Are we ready to start the lesson?”

  Annie took a seat beside Erin.

  Kate lifted her crochet hook and slowly talked the girls through making a slipknot and beginning stitches. The girls followed her lead, creating a foundation chain.

  Erin leaned close to Annie and whispered. “Did you make your cardigan?”

  “Yes, and Kate makes some of the most beautiful jackets.” Annie pointed to the one on display in the store.

  Erin mouthed the word, “Wow.”

  “When are we going to be able to do stuff like that?” Lily sat her project on her lap. “This is baby stuff.”

  “Slow down, Lily,” Kate said. “Just like with the quilting, you have to learn to walk before you can run.”

  A haughty tone entered Lily’s voice. “I already know how to walk.”

  Mackenzie held up her chain. “I don’t think your stitches look any better than mine, and I just learned.”

  “Mine are more even,” Lily blasted back.

  “I think I am getting the hang of this,” said Taylor.

  The girls held up their c
hains. Erin’s was about half the length of the other girls’. Each stitch had been a struggle for her.

  “I have clumsy fingers.” Erin focused so intently on the yarn and hook that a crease formed between her eyebrows.

  “You’re doing just fine,” Annie encouraged.

  “I’m not blind.” Erin’s voice carried a tinge of pain. “I know it’s not that good.”

  Alice divided her attention between Mackenzie and Taylor, who both seemed to be picking up on Kate’s instruction.

  “Lily, you might want to slow down,” Kate suggested.

  “This is so boring. I know what I am doing. I want to start on a sweater. Mom said she would buy me the materials. Can I go see what you have?”

  “You are always welcome to look around,” Kate said.

  Kate progressed to teaching the girls a popcorn stitch, and then she asked Annie if she wanted to take over.

  Annie talked the girls through several more stitches.

  Taylor held up her sample. “So what do we do with this?”

  “These are just practice stitches. Once you feel you have the hang of everything, you might want to think about a simple project that incorporates some of the stitches. A scarf is usually a good choice.”

  The girls continued to work and banter for the rest of the hour.

  At a quarter to five, Erin and Mackenzie’s mother came to pick them up. Lily’s mother arrived a few minutes later. Lily and her mother stayed in the store while Lily filled a basket with things she needed for her project.

  Annie and Alice stood on the sidewalk while Taylor unlocked her bike. Annie stared at the darkening sky. “It’s starting to cloud up. We could give you a ride.”

  Taylor smiled. A sparkle entered her green eyes. “I’ll be OK. I like riding in the rain.” She swung her leg over her bike, pedaled a few feet, and then stopped. “I had fun today.”

  “We did too,” Annie said.

  Alice nodded in agreement.

  While they watched Taylor pedal over the hill, Lily came out holding a bag heaping with yarn.

  Lily shook her head. “I feel so sorry for Taylor. She has to ride her bike everywhere. She has like a billion brothers and sisters, and her mom and dad just have one old car. You know what I mean?”

  Alice’s mouth formed a tight line. “She didn’t seem too bothered by having to ride her bike, Lily.”

  Annie was impressed by her friend’s restraint. Lily had a way of getting under everyone’s skin.

  Lily’s mother emerged from the store, zipping her purse shut as she stepped through the door. She was dressed in a coordinated jogging suit. Her brown hair was cut short and curled under.

  “This is my mom, Karen Parker.”

  “Are you the ladies who taught the class today?”

  Alice and Annie nodded.

  “Lily has been talking about this all week. She was so excited,” Karen said.

  “Mom,” Lily objected.

  Karen raised a scolding eyebrow toward her daughter. “Lily, I’m talking. I am delighted that Mary Beth offers something like this. I tried to teach Lily the basics, but I reached the end of my expertise pretty quickly.”

  Lily rolled her eyes, but remained silent.

  “We’re glad to help,” smiled Annie.

  “Come on, Lily; we need to go home and get dinner on the table for your father.”

  Mother and daughter crossed the street and got into their car.

  Annie watched the car pull away from the curb. “Interesting. Lily has been looking forward to the class all week. I couldn’t tell that from the way she acted.”

  Alice crossed her arms over her chest. “Maybe she likes the class but pretends not to.”

  “Sometimes kids hide who they really are. She only talked about doing things with her mother. Maybe Lily doesn’t have lots of friends. This is her chance to be with other girls her age,” Annie said.

  “She isn’t exactly putting in a lot of effort to be a friend,” Alice pointed out.

  “Which is all the more reason she needs to be in this class.” Annie glanced at her watch. “I need to get home. The electricity is still on the blink. Wally said he could stop by late in the day before he went home.”

  Annie and Alice headed back toward Grey Gables. When Annie got out of the car, Wally was standing on the steps. Annie slowed her step. An older man with white fluffy hair stood beside Wally.

  5

  Annie scurried up the walkway, flipping open her purse and digging for her house keys. “Wally, I am so sorry. I totally lost track of time.” Annie stepped onto the porch and turned the key in the lock.

  “It’s all right, Annie We just got here a few minutes ago, and I misplaced the key you loaned me.” Wally pointed to the white-haired man. “This is Douglas Emery. He’s an electrician. In addition to our chewed wires, I noticed some electrical issues in the library. I thought I’d let Douglas have a look.”

  Annie nodded toward Douglas as she opened the door. And she had thought she would just fix some shelving and add extra outlets in the library. “Everything is always more involved than you think it is going to be when it comes to construction, isn’t it?”

  “We’ll just have a look today. I won’t start on anything until I give you an estimate.”

  “Thank you. You are the best,” Annie said.

  “Library is over this way.” Wally led Douglas down the hall and disappeared around the corner.

  Annie headed down the hall into the kitchen. She checked on the slow cooker. Spices wafted through the kitchen when she lifted the lid. She stared down into the pot. Even if she froze some of this, she’d be eating it for weeks. A sliver of pain pierced her heart. Learning how to cook for one person was just one more adjustment she had to make with Wayne gone. She closed her eyes for a moment, seeing Wayne smiling at her with the crinkles in the corners of his gray eyes. She breathed deeply to shake off the sadness.

  The chicken could probably stand to cook a little longer. Annie leaned against the counter, Boots swirling around her legs. She was just thinking she should mix up some juice to go with her meal when the phone rang.

  Annie picked up. “Hello.”

  “Annie, it’s Peggy. Is Wally there?”

  “Yes.”

  “It seems my husband forgot to charge his cell phone again. Can you please tell him to swing by the store on the way home and get some cream of mushroom soup?”

  Peggy sounded tired. “Sure, I’ll let him know. Did you have a long day today?”

  Peggy let out a sigh. “I’ll say. My feet are killing me. I was sure I had one more can of that soup left in the pantry. I was going to make a casserole. We’ll just eat late.”

  “Actually, I think I can solve your problem. I made a chicken dish. I don’t know what gets into me. I made enough to feed a small army. I can send some home with Wally.”

  “You have no idea what a blessing that would be. I have been looking at food all day at work. The last thing I want to think about is fixing dinner.”

  “I understand. When Wayne and I worked at the dealership all day, sometimes a nice, simple sandwich sounded like the best thing in the world.”

  “So, did you have the first class for the teens today?”

  “Yes, there were four girls. All of them very … different. I think it went well.”

  “I wish I could help out. I love kids that age. I always thought if Wally and I could ever scrape the money together, I would go to college to be a junior high teacher.”

  “I wish you could be there too.” Annie could hear the longing in Peggy’s voice. “Maybe it will work out some Wednesday for you to come.”

  “I doubt it. I either have to work that shift or the dinner-to-close shift, which would mean I would have to find someone to watch Emily.”

  “It’s never easy, is it?”

  “You got that right. Thanks again for sending the dinner over. I owe you one. And please tell that husband of mine that his phone is not working.”

  Anni
e laughed. “I’ll let him know.” She hung up and turned away from the window she’d been staring out. Douglas walked past the kitchen. Wally must have sent him on an errand.

  She unplugged her cooker and opened the cupboard where she kept her plastic containers. While she spooned the stew into the container, Douglas ambled past the kitchen holding electrician’s tape and a plastic box that looked like a meter of some sort.

  “Everything going OK?”

  “As good as can be expected.” Douglas rubbed the white stubble on his cheek. “This wiring is ancient. If it were me, I would gut out the whole place and start from scratch.”

  An involuntary gasp escaped Annie’s lips. “I don’t have the finances to do that.”

  Douglas disappeared around the corner.

  Annie searched the cupboards for a plastic cover to go with the container she’d filled. A few minutes later, Wally and Douglas poked their heads in the kitchen.

  Annie handed Wally the container with the stew. “Your wife called. Dinner is on me tonight. But you do need to charge your cell phone.”

  Wally slammed the heel of his hand against his forehead. “Not again.”

  “Did you take care of the electrical problem in the attic?” Annie asked hopefully.

  “Yes, we did find some mouse droppings, so for sure this isn’t just because of frayed wires,” Wally said.

  Annie groaned. “I have put out an all-points bulletin for those mice, believe me.”

  Douglas touched his white fuzzy head. “Mice love to use insulation to make a house.” “It’s just a matter of time before their destruction spreads.”

  Annie was growing weary of all of the doomsday predictions about the mice. Wally and Douglas made it sound like Grey Gables would be a pile of sawdust in no time at all. “I’m sure we will find them before it gets that bad. I’ve been so busy. I’ll spend some time looking for them tonight.”

  After Douglas and Wally left, she ate a quick dinner and raced up to the attic to look for the mice again. Annie pushed open the door to the attic and walked up the creaking stairs. Though it was only a little past six o’clock, the sky had already turned a soft gray. She clicked on the single light, an incandescent bulb that hung in the middle of the room, and studied the dark corners. The little bit of light was not going to be enough to find her evasive rodents.