“It’s probably best you know...she’s been suffering, out of it for a long time.” She gulped back another sob. “I can’t reach Roxy. I left her a message to call me. Madison, you’ll have to go with her to tell Madeline. You know how she’ll be.”
Madison nodded her head. “Of course I’ll go. I’ll keep trying her.” She closed her phone and met the faces of her two startled friends. “Sunday’s mom, BethAnne...” she started.
Twenty minutes later they pulled into the motel. Madison walked in to give Roxy the news.
* * * *
“Why is it always me?” Madeline wailed when Roxy told her about her sister’s death. “First Ned, now Sis.”
Roxy sat on the worn davenport, her arm around her mother, trying to console her. Madison sat in the old overstuffed chair.
“When is the service going to be?” Madeline asked in between her sobbing.
“I don’t know yet, Mom. It’ll be up to Sunday and Tuesday.”
“I don’t know why she named those girls after days of the week. I told her it was crazy. She never listened to me, anyway. Just like you, Roxy.”
Roxy looked skyward and rolled her eyes. Madison nearly laughed.
“Does Cory know yet?”
“Yes. I called him. He’ll be home soon.”
“Good. I need him here.” She turned to her daughter. “Where’s that man of yours?”
“He’s working.”
“I thought you were going to come over more often. Now you got a man friend, I don’t see you.”
“Mom, I’ve been working a couple of jobs. But I won’t have to after next week.”
“Oh.” Her mother squinted at her. “Why is that?”
“I got a better job at the motel. I’m the manager now.”
Her mother looked closely. “What did you do to your hair? It’s different.”
Roxy ran her hand over the top of her head. “It’s a little different, Ma.”
Madison couldn’t keep quiet. “Roxy’s doing real well, Madeline. You should be proud of her.”
“Proud?” Madeline echoed. “I’m always proud of my little girl.” She gave a heavy sigh. “Call Cory again, will you?”
* * * *
Madison sat in front of her computer, feeling totally drained. What a day! Having to deal with Madeline was worse than ever. The more independent Roxy became, the more her mother attempted to guilt her. She tried to shake off the negative feelings and have happy thoughts for Justin.
She opened his email. HEY HONEY-WHATCH UP 2?
She gave a quick rundown of the day’s events and sent it off. Still, she sat. She began to type.
GUESS WHAT? I’M PG.
GUESS WHAT –THE RABBIT DIED
GUESS WHAT- I’M PUKING EVERY MORNING
GUESS WHAT – I GOTTA PIG IN A BLANKET
GUESS WHAT-
GUESS WHAT
GUESS WHAT
GUESS WHAT
After another minute of staring at the screen, she cancelled her email and went to bed.
* * * *
On the small island of Lanai, Justin sat at a bar with his friend, Red Keller. He checked his watch and thought about Madison, noting it was two hours earlier here. She’ll be going to bed pretty soon.
A young blonde scooted up on a stool beside him. Justin tried to ignore her, but her perfume, whatever she was wearing, caused a stirring within him. Her knee nudged him, perhaps accidently. “Oh, sorry,” she said.
Justin took a sip of his beer.
The blonde turned toward him. “I think I saw you in here last week sometime, didn’t I?”
Justin nodded. “You may have.”
Red slipped off the bar stool. “I’m calling it a night. You coming?”
Justin felt a small hand come to rest on his arm, a whisper in his ear. “Why don’t you stay for a while and keep me company?”
* * * *
The next morning Justin called Madison.
“Hi, Honey! This is a nice surprise,” she said happily.
Justin smiled. “I needed to hear your voice, Babe. I miss you.”
“Me too.”
“Sorry to hear about Sunday’s mom.”
“Ya. It’s one of those sorry, but glad for her things. It must have been awful, laying there in that nursing home, not being able to do anything.”
“Yes. I can’t imagine. You women will take good care of Sunday. I don’t suppose Duffy will be very sympathetic.”
“Duffy is pathetic.”
“I love your little word plays!”
“Tell me the job is almost done.”
“A few more weeks.”
“Grrr.”
“Hey, I’m sending you something in the mail. Be sure to open it right away, okay?”
“It’s not going to be a jumping spider or anything, is it?”
Justin laughed. “No. Not this time.”
The conversation carried on for a few more minutes, before Justin ended the call.
He placed his cell phone in his pocket.
Red chuckled. “Man, you must have it real bad.”
Justin smiled and nodded.
“You must have balls of steel or something. That sweet thing hitin’ on you last night and you just sauntered off your bar stool and followed me out to the car.”
Justin shrugged. “I love my Madison. I’m not going to do anything to jeopardize our relationship.”
“You might as well get married; you already hung up your dick.”
“I’m thinking along those lines.”
Red shook his head. “Not me.”
* * * *
Madison pulled into the pharmacy parking lot. She had to pick up her Dad’s medications and thought about picking up a cute card to mail to Justin. She pondered the cards for twenty minutes, before she found one she thought he’d like. Checking her watch, she scolded herself for taking so much time on the cards, and she hurried to the pharmacy counter. Her dad was an impatient man and was probably cussing her right now, for being late. She tapped her foot while the clerk rang up the pills. Grabbing them, she headed back down the aisle, then stopped suddenly. On the shelf, eye level, were the pregnancy kits, all lined up, as if waiting for her in particular.
She shook her head and made it to the end of the row. Go back and get a kit. You have to find out for sure.
Madison turned and made her way to the boxes. So many choices! Her eyes darted back and forth.
Which one?
She reached out to pick one up, then quickly set it back down. I’m not preggy! I’m not!
She hurried up to the front counter and set her card down. The clerk picked it up and scanned it.
“Will this be all?” She smiled.
Madison found herself shaking her head. “No. I forgot something.” She ran back and grabbed a box off of the shelf.
It’s the wrong box!
“I don’t care,” she answered as she nearly threw the box at the clerk.
“Ma’m?” The clerk’s face showed confusion.
Madison waved at her, realizing the clerk thought she was talking to her. “Nothing.” Madison plastered a fake smile on her face.
A few minutes later, Madison walked to her car, throwing the bag in her passenger seat.
The box peeked out of the top of the bag. Madison glared at the item. “I’m not using you. I’m not.”
Madison could not be in her denial any longer. She felt humiliated, having to pee on some damn plastic stick. Holding on to it, she glanced at her watch. The minutes she needed to wait seemed like hours. A tiny smiley face began to appear in the window on the stick. She frowned.
The box contained three sticks. She did them all. It was true, then. She had a bun in the oven.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to be pregnant, but the thought that Justin may not return to her. Yet, his email kept popping up on her computer, and his phone call today left her happy all day long.
She looked up on the net about pregnancy and OCD medications. Although she hadn’t
read anything about contraindications she knew she had to make a doctor’s appointment soon. Especially reading that her OCD symptoms could worsen. She wanted to share the news with her friends, but they would have to swear to secrecy as to not tell Justin. She was afraid one of them, Roxy mainly, may tell Justin, believing she was helping. That was the thing. If Justin was coming home to her, he’d need to do it because of his love for her and not out of some obligation he would feel because she was carrying his child.
Chapter 38
Sunday and Tuesday walked into the room at the nursing home, the place that had been home to their mother for the past few years. Sunday sat on the edge of the bed and ran her hand across the top of the knitted afghan. “I remember Momma making this when I was young.” She sighed heavily. “She used to be so...active...busy.”
Tuesday dropped a cardboard box on the floor. “Yes. She’d put us both to shame.” She began to open drawers. Taking out the neatly folded clothes, she laid them into the box. Sunday stood up and folded the blanket. “Do you want this?”
Tuesday shook her head, without even turning her head.
“I’ll give it to Madeline. She’d like something of Momma’s.”
“Suit yourself.”
Sunday opened the closet doors and began to take the clothes off the hangers, setting them on the bed. “This looks brand new,” she commented about a pink sweater. “I think I bought it a couple of years ago. Mother’s Day or something. I’ll donate these to the home. I’m sure someone can get use of them.” She continued to fold the clothes. Tuesday opened and shut drawers. “I guess it was silly of me to buy clothes when all she did was lay in bed.”
“I’m done here,” Tuesday commented.
“I’ll get the other box for the pictures.”
Tuesday looked up. “Crap. I forgot about the family pictures.” Tuesday walked to the wall and glanced about. “Look at the wedding picture of you and Duffy. You actually look happy.”
Sunday glanced at the framed picture. She took it off the wall and placed it in the box.
Tuesday spoke up. “Are we going to settle on a memorial instead of a whole damn funeral? The only people that will attend are family.”
“Momma had a few friends that came by to see her. You’d know that if you’d...”
“All right! Enough of the guilt shit, thank you. I should have visited more often. I should have taken her...where? All she could do was lie here. I don’t know how you were able to visit her like you did. Come and visit with...a vegetable.”
“She was our mom. And if it had been turned around...”
“Okay, shut up!”
Sunday looked around the room. “A short memorial would be fine, Tuesday. Shall we plan for Saturday?”
Tuesday nodded.
“We can have the...gathering at the house. I’ll take care of the arrangements.”
Tuesday nodded in agreement.
Each picked up a box. On the way out of the room, Sunday stopped to give the room one last glance, remembering the time she had spent with her mom. Tuesday continued on without any hesitation.
* * * *
Madison helped Sunday make arrangements for the food and flowers. She took Friday off from work to help with the many details. Roxy had offered as well; however, she was still in training for her new position. Madison assured her they could manage without her.
Saturday morning, Madison rushed over to help Sunday with last minute details before they went to the funeral home. Sunday offered her a drink before they left. Madison shook her head. Sunday poured herself a stiff brandy. She took a large drink, shivering from the burning in her throat. “Duffy is supposed to be here any minute. We’re riding over together.”
“That’s fine. I need to run home and take care of Princess. I’ll meet you there.”
“My momma suffered a lot in her life.”
Madison nodded.
“I’m not planning to do that. I’m leaving Duffy. I don’t know where I’ll go yet.”
“Do you really have to leave?” Madison grabbed a chair and sat down. “Are you planning to go out of the state?”
Sunday glanced at her and away.
“You’re leaving the country?”
“I’m not sure yet. Where ever I go, I have to make sure he can’t find me. I’m calling Jacki later so she can get me the money out of the bank.”
Madison met Sunday’s eyes. Both knowing what was likely to happen to Sunday if Duffy did find her.
“Hawaii didn’t work quite like you were hoping?”
Sunday nodded, taking another drink. “Not quite.”
A door opened and shut within the house. Duffy walked into the kitchen. He glanced at Sunday, then Madison. “And just what are you two women conniving about?”
Without missing a beat, Madison replied, “Cremation or box? Which would you prefer?”
* * * *
Sunday was pleased to see more people at the memorial than she had anticipated. A few workers from the convalescent home; old friends and even some neighbors that Sunday hadn’t seen in years. Evidently, they read the daily obituaries. Duffy was at her side like a doting husband, and even Tuesday plastered a fake smile on her face, complimenting people and thanking them for coming.
Later, at her home, people mingled, chatted and laughed in a quiet tone like they do at funerals. Madeline seemed pleased enough, receiving the attention dutifully as being the sister of the deceased woman. Even so, she had her hankie handy, quick to wipe her eyes. “Cory, get me a drink of water, will you?”
Cory nodded.
“He’s a good boy,” she said with a sigh to an elderly gentleman who stood close by. “Aren’t you Ralph, BethAnne’s neighbor, on Nelson Street?”
The tall gentleman nodded. “BethAnne and my misses; Rebecca, were best of friends.”
Madeline sat up straighter. “I remember her...and you too. I think we all went on a picnic together. Can’t remember where.” Her face scrunched as she tried to recall it.
“Bayview Park.”
Excited, Madeline nodded. “Yes! That’s where it was. All the kids were small then.” She smiled, reminiscing.
“BethAnne was a wonderful person. I didn’t realize she’d been...so bad off. Lose touch with people.”
Madeline frowned and nodded her head in agreement. “My brother Ned died recently. I didn’t know BethAnne would be going so soon after.” She was quiet for a moment. “He’s at home on the dining room table where I can talk to him.”
The elderly man glanced quickly around the room, as if he was looking for someplace else he could go. He glanced back at Madeline who continued to stare at him, waiting for a response.
“Oh. That must be...comforting to you.”
“It is. It is.” Madeline sighed and dabbed at her dry eyes.
Ralph was quiet for a moment, surveying the room.
Cory returned with the glass of water for his mother.
Madeline took it and thanked him politely.
Cory raised his eyebrows as if wondering why she was being so nice, but said nothing. Madeline introduced him to Ralph. He shook his hand.
Ralph reached out to Madeline’s hand. “I must be going now.”
“Oh,” she said, her face saddened.
“I was wondering if you’d perhaps go out for coffee with me sometime. You know, get us both out of the house.”
Her face brightened up so dramatically, she appeared years younger. “I would love to, Ralph!” She turned to her son. “Cory, write down the number for him.”
Cory quickly found a napkin and jotted down the number, careful to write Madeline, just in case the old man looked at the number the next day and wasn’t able to remember her name.
After Ralph left, Madeline reached up and patted her hair, lifted her chin a little higher, and wore a smile the rest of the day.
After an hour, people began to say their farewell’s and leave.
Roxy picked up a few dishes and headed towards the kitchen. Duffy sto
od in her way.
“Still cleaning up after people, huh?” He smirked.
Roxy pushed her way past him.
“That new doo you have almost makes you look like a woman.” He sneered.
She stopped before entering the kitchen. Turning, she asked, “Got any flat tires lately, Duffy?”
He glared at her, his eyes reflecting anger. “Your friends got anything broken recently?” Roxy continued into the kitchen. He had busted Madison’s window those months back.
Chapter 39
Madison rearranged her bouquet of flowers. What a surprise! Justin had told her to expect something...but this! Real Hawaiian flowers, shipped to her in a special box to keep the flowers cold and fresh. The lilies were unlike anything she’d ever seen.
He sent you the flowers because he’s feeling guilty.
“No, he sent me the flowers because he loves and misses me.”
Guilty.
“Not.”
Princess sat at her feet and whined.
“I know you miss him too.” A thought occurred to her. “Hey, come’re. How would like your picture taken with the flowers. I can download it tonight and send it.” She picked up Princess and set her on her kitchen table next to the flowers. “Perfect! Now wait there.” She quickly went into her bedroom and grabbed her camera. “Say cheese!” Madison clicked off a few pictures. “This will make him smile.”
She placed the dog back down on the floor and went down the hall to the computer room. Within a few minutes she had downloaded the pictures and emailed them. While she was checking her own email she saw one from Jacki. It was addressed to several people with surprise in the subject box.
Having work party next Sat. Bring your body and plan to get dirty. Lunch on us. Free coffee. Madison will bring donuts, Krispy Kremes, hopefully. Roxy-lots of rags (get them from work if you can) and cleaning supplies cause she’s the expert. Bud, Bud Light. Sunday will be donating flowers to plant. Cory will bring two friends to help. If you all do an excellent job you can help us paint, which may be...next spring depending on what all we get done in the next few weeks.
Madison typed a reply. Deal. I hope you’re treating us to pizza. U know it’s my favorite.
She picked up Princess. “Looks like you’ll be alone for most of the day next Saturday.” The dog whined and cuddled on her lap.
(Don't Mess With) Clear Lake Women Page 22