For Keeps (Aggie's Inheritance)

by Havig, Chautona

  “Does Amber sell all your houses?”

  “And helps me find the new ones, yes. She’s amazing.”

  Turning abruptly into the dining room, Aggie asked about the size of the necessary light fixture. “I think the other one was too small.”

  He noticed a faint catch in her throat and questioned her. “What’s wrong, Mibs?”

  “It’s silly. Ok, so what about the broken porch and back lights?”

  “What’s silly?” She started for the door, but Luke caught her arm, allowing his hand to slide down and weave his fingers through hers. “I don’t understand.”

  “I don’t either! I told you; it’s silly!”

  “And I asked what was so silly.”

  “Me. Hearing about Amber and suddenly feeling very jealous that she knows something about you and your life that I don’t know and don’t have the courage to ask.”

  Luke knew the grin that grew on his face was as goofy as any that Mark Twain had described in his little friend Tom. “Dare you.”

  “Dare I what?”

  “Dare you to ask whatever you want to know about me.” He winked, “Or even about Amber.”

  “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

  “Enjoying hearing that you are feeling a little jealous? Oh, yeah!” He tugged her out the front door so she could get a feel for the necessary lights. He didn’t need her input; they both knew he was perfectly capable of doing the entire renovation successfully and without any input from anyone. However, he wanted the time with her, he wanted her to feel included in his ventures, and have some measure of satisfaction when the house sold for the price he wanted.

  “Luke?”

  “Hmm?”

  “How will you know?”

  He chose not to show that he understood the question. “Know what?”

  With each attempt to answer, Aggie grew more flustered until Luke took pity. “I don’t know how I’ll know, but I think you’ll manage to tell me somehow. I can’t see you walking up to me and proposing or anything, but you’ll either give it away accidentally or you’ll find a way to tell me-- somehow.”

  “You make it sound certain. Are you really that sure?” Her eyes traveled to where their hands still hung intertwined between them, but she made no move to change that.

  “Let’s just say that after I told you about my trip to see your parents, I saw it as an if, but lately I’ve been thinking of it as a when.”

  She nodded. “Good. I wondered if it was just me.”

  “Just you what?”

  The twinkle was back in Aggie’s eyes as she said, “Just me that had started thinking of things as when instead of if.”

  Luke says: Mibs, are you there?

  Luke says: Hmm… I thought you signed on, but maybe it’s just Tina.

  Luke says: Or, perhaps you’re angry with me.

  Luke says: Confused?

  Luke says: Out with another man in a studied effort to break my heart?

  Luke says: On a brighter note, maybe you’re scrubbing toilets or something equally stimulating that doesn’t involve other men. I like that better.

  Mibs says: Aggie is settling Laird’s hash over something. She’ll be down in a minute.

  Mibs says: Luke, do you not see the irony of you yakking away up there without hesitation when usually we have to pull conversation from you like a dentist pulls teeth?

  Luke says: LOL. I was hoping she hadn’t gone to bed with her laptop still online.

  Mibs says: Uh, oh, I hear her coming. Bye.

  Luke says: Bye, Tina.

  Mibs says: Tina?

  Luke says: I was having a nice chat with her.

  Mibs says: I don’t see anything.

  Luke says: I think she must have closed it out then. I can copy and

  paste if you want.

  Mibs says: Just give me the run down.

  Luke says: I was making lots of little comments about where you were, who you were with, what you were doing, and Tina teased me and told me you’d be down soon. Did you get Laird all squared away?”

  Mibs says: Yeah. He’s mad at me.

  Luke says: Why?

  Mibs says: Well, I found him in his room tonight working on school work.

  Luke says: Hooligan.

  Mibs says: *giggles*

  Luke says: So what was the conflict?

  Mibs says: He was trying to do everything on his assignment sheet for next week. He was over half done!

  Luke says: Are you sure you’re giving them enough work?

  Mibs says: I took everything they’re supposed to do in a year, divided it by weeks and then days, and added a bit extra to make up for lost time and if they get sick. Everything I read says that until high school, most kids are done in under two and a half hours a day with our type of curriculum.

  Luke says: So, then if you built in getting ahead, what’s the problem with him doing it himself?

  Mibs says: I don’t think it’s a good thing to have so much time between lessons. I think you need the reinforcement of frequent use to keep your mind sharp.

  Luke says: That makes sense. So Laird didn’t like it when you said he can’t work that far ahead?

  Mibs says: He acts like I’ve betrayed him or something. He took the ok to finish early in the day as an ok to finish whatever he wanted to WHENEVER he wanted to.

  Luke says: So what did you say?

  Mibs says: I told him that he had to do his work every day. He could get it done as fast as he liked as long as he did it right and showed that he knew the material, but he can’t work days and days ahead.

  Luke says: What does he do when he’s not doing schoolwork?

  Mibs says: Takes things apart, reads, works outside on different things, rides to the library, builds models, plays computer games, stuff like that.

  Luke says: Well, since he’s not vegging out in front of the TV, what if you came up with a compromise?

  Mibs says: What kind of compromise?

  Luke says: Well, what if he could finish the week up on Wednesday or Thursday and have one or two more days for that kind of stuff. Most of what you mentioned is very educational. If he was just laying around watching TV or playing on one of those video things, I’d be less inclined to suggest it, but building, taking things apart, working, reading-- those things will help him just as much as taking longer to read history or do math problems.

  Mibs says: You don’t think that’s too long between lessons?

  Luke says: It’s your decision, of course, but since what he’s doing when he’s not doing the lessons only increases his ability to learn and understand, no I don’t.

  Mibs says: I’ll think about it.

  Mibs says: I have something I need to talk to you about.

  Luke says: What did I do wrong?

  Mibs says: LOL. Nothing. I just realized that if I don’t say something up front, things could get awkward in the right, or I guess that’s wrong, situation.

  Luke says: I’m lost.

  Mibs says: Hee hee. Well, I’d be surprised if you weren’t. So, since it’s talk about it in person or on here, I’m going for it while it’s on the table.

  Luke says: Whatever “it” is…

  Mibs says: It kind of has a back story to it.

  Luke says: Should I call you Doofenschmertz?

  Mibs says: Huh?

  Luke says: Never mind. It’s a cartoon that Rodney likes. I haven’t mentioned it, because I have a feeling that half of your kids would get ideas…

  Mibs says: Ideas like what?

  Luke says: Building roller coasters in the back yard, robot tree houses, painting the unpainted desert…

  Mibs says: The desert is painted. It’s the painted desert-- Arizona isn’t it?

  Luke says: Not in Phineas and Ferb. Anyway, there’s an evil scientist, Dr. Doofenschmertz, who always has a back story. Ignore me and tell it all.

  Mibs says: Ok, so in the seventh grade, I went to camp like I did every year. The story of the day for the girls was Ha
nnah. I was captivated. The way my counselor told the story was almost like Hannah was the first saint or something. She’d prayed for years, fasted, wept, and finally promised to give her child back to God if she could just have him.

  Luke says: One of my favorite stories. I love her husband.

  Mibs says: Me too! Anyway, one of the girls asked why Hannah did it--why she gave up her son, so Candace told her about how serious vows are. How we only make vows to the Lord that we can make sure we keep.

  Luke says: Candace. Too funny.

  Mibs says: Anyway, I was caught up in the romance of the idea of a vow to the Lord.

  Mibs says: Why funny?

  Luke says: Phineas and Ferb’s sister is Candace in the cartoon.

  Mibs says: *rolls eyes* Anyway, I spent two days trying to figure out what vow I could make to the Lord.

  Luke says: You’re kidding me.

  Mibs says: Nope. I wanted it to be something that was really big, but not too hard yet. I kept thinking about things like giving a tithe of everything I got-- even Christmas and birthday presents. Then I realized I’d have to ask how much they were. I thought about promising to be a missionary-- easy to do as a kid, but I was afraid I might not get accepted and that wouldn’t be good.

  Luke says: I like this glimpse into you as a kid. I think I would have liked you back then too.

  Mibs says: I’m flattered, I’m sure. Anyway, then I caught two of the counselors making out behind the cafeteria. It was gross.

  Luke says: I’ll bet. *snickers*

  Mibs says: So, I vowed that I’d never kiss anyone unless I was married. How I expected to get through dating and engagement without kissing, never occurred to me. I was very sincere about it.

  Luke says: An understandable vow if I’ve ever heard one.

  Mibs says: I told Tina about it, and she was livid. She thought I was ridiculous and asked if there was an out. That’s actually how she became a Christian.

  Luke says: By kissing?

  Mibs says: *snort* No, by searching for some out for me in the Bible. She was sure I’d be able to get out of it. Once she started reading, she kept going, until one night she showed up at our house at bed time, in her pajamas, with her Bible, and demanding to know how to be a Christian. I’ll never forget it. She said, “If Jesus can go through all that for me, I’m not going to waste it.”

  Luke says: Wow.

  Mibs says: Then, after she was baptized, she turned to me and said, “Oh, and I found out how to get around that kissing vow--” right in front of the whole church!

  Luke says: What I wouldn’t give to see that.

  Mibs says: Yeah. A riot. Anyway, Dad asked me what she meant, and got the whole story out of me. Tina insisted that according to Leviticus, Dad could, now that he heard of the vow, revoke it.

  Mibs says: I should confess, at that point, I didn’t care.

  Luke says: Of course, you didn’t. Tina was far thinking though, I’ll have to thank her.

  Mibs says: Um, Luke. Don’t thank her yet. Dad refused.

  Luke says: Still thanking her.

  Mibs says: Why?

  Luke says: Because she was thinking about the day you’d have a guy who wanted to kiss you. I’m not sure about how many of those there’ve been--probably more than you think--but still, it’s a nice thought. Now, why did your dad refuse? This I gotta hear.

  Mibs says: Dad said that he thought I needed to take responsibility for my actions. He knew I was old enough to know what I was doing, even if the consequences became a bit difficult as I got older.

  Luke says: Have you ever regretted it?

  Mibs says: Not until lately…

  Luke says: How recently is lately?

  Mibs says: The past month or so.

  Luke says: That’s good enough for me.

  Mibs says: You’re not disappointed?

  Luke says: That you’re a woman of your word? Not on your life.

  Mibs says: Well, that’s not what I meant, but…

  Luke says: Not disappointed that when I get that first kiss it’ll BE a first kiss? No way.

  Mibs says: Well, for me anyway.

  Luke says: For us.

  Mibs says: Does that mean us as a couple or as individuals?

  Luke says: Curious, aren’t you?

  Mibs says: Very.

  Luke says: Both. It’s going to be a trio of firsts, and I can’t wait.

  Mibs says: You’re going to have to though, aren’t you?

  Mibs says: Wait, you said “going to be.” That sounds pretty confident.

  Luke says: You’re the one who said you’d been thinking of things in terms of when, Mibs.

  Mibs says: Luke?

  Luke says: Hmm?

  Mibs says: Goodnight.

  Luke says: Goodnight, Mibs. I love you.

  Mibs says: And that’s a wonderful thought to fall asleep to.

  Luke says: That’s really nice to hear. Sleep well.

  Commitments

  Chapter 23

  Friday, October 24th

  With Ian on one hip and Cari and Lorna in the double stroller, Aggie dragged herself through the crowd of playful children, trying to find her own in the sea of co-op participants. Mothers smiled encouragingly, but few took the time to seek her out, and no one offered to help. Aggie couldn’t decide if it was because they were busy themselves, didn’t want to be a bother, or if she, as a single mother of eight, was some kind of pariah. Disgusted with herself, she navigated through the obstacle course of children reminding herself that she’d grown too accustomed to a church and friends who were eager to lend a hand.

  She found Kenzie first, and had several things thrust in her hands before the girl skipped away with another child. “Kenzie…aaandd… she’s gone,” Aggie groaned.

  Vannie stood in a circle of girls laughing about something, and seeing her niece enjoying herself with girls similar in age added another pound of guilt to her already overloaded bucket. The girl needed more time to be just a girl and not the “oldest of eight children-- the example.” How to arrange that on top of an already overloaded schedule was something Aggie couldn’t fathom, but it went on her mental “to-do” list nonetheless.

  Seated on a bench outside the classroom door, Ellie looked so very alone, but at the sight of Aggie, a smile lit the little girl’s face. “Aunt Aggie! Look what we did!” Ellie thrust a “stained glass” picture into her hands. “We drew our picture on wax paper, colored it, ironed it, cut it out, and put it back together. We have homework. We have to use this paint stuff to be like lead and bring it back next week. It was so fun.”

  The art teacher beckoned to Aggie. “You did great, Ellie. Can you stay with the girls while I talk to your teacher? Just call me if you need me.” After admonishing the twins not to step from the stroller, Aggie carried Ian to the woman’s side, still wrestling to keep the child from destroying the papers she held in her hand. “You’re Evvie Berkshire, right?”

  “Yes. Aggie Stuart?” The woman tried to consult her list, but a child dashed past, knocking the clipboard from her fingers.

  “Milliken. The children’s last names are Stuart.”

  “Their father’s name?” The woman frowned.

  “And their mother’s.”

  “You’re not their mother?”

  The number of times she’d explained her situation seemed incalculable. “No. I am their aunt. My sister and her husband died last year. I ‘inherited,’ for lack of better word.”

  “Wow. That’s a lot of work. How did your husband feel about that?”

  “I’m not married.” Aggie glanced at Ellie, making sure the twins were still seated in their stroller.

  “Ok, that’s it. First, I am sorry for your loss. Second, you are my hero. Third, your niece is beyond my capabilities. She needs a good art school. She’s amazing. I’ve known professionals that don’t have the eye and the passion that your little girl has.” Evvie shook her head. “Fourth, if you ever need anything, you have my number. Call.”
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  Relief flooded Aggie’s heart. No matter where she went, she was out of place. She almost always had more children, she was the only unmarried person, and she never knew what she was doing. One thing that did encourage her was that, aside from occasional outbursts by Cari or Kenzie, she almost always had the most polite and well behaved children present. Though she couldn’t take credit for it, Aggie considered that her nieces and nephews hadn’t become unbearable little snots as proof that she wasn’t a complete failure in her job.

  “Thanks. You don’t know how much it means that someone cares about Ellie’s talents and doesn’t condemn us for being different.”

  “Can I put you on the prayer chain? It’s an innocuous way to let people know your situation. I’d love to think everyone would be encouraging and welcoming regardless of the circumstances, but unfortunately, this group is made up of sinners like every other group, and some people just judge.”

  “If you think it’s best.” Aggie hated the idea that people would pity her or treat the children differently, but she was tired of explaining the situation to everyone, and if there was any chance that someone might shun one or more of them because of her perceived “single mom” status, she’d suck it up and deal with it.

  Before she could respond, Laird dashed up to her, thrust a box in her arms, and took off after two other boys to join an impromptu game of soccer. Seconds later, Tavish thrust the papers from his class in her overloaded hands and took off after Laird. Evvie shook her head. “Can I give you some unsolicited advice?”

  “Sure.” Aggie always thought that question an odd one. What was she supposed to say? No?

  The woman pointed to Aggie’s overloaded arms. “Don’t be a slave to your children. Make a rule that they have to take their things straight to your van. You can’t be a pack horse for all of them.”

  Even as the woman spoke, Aggie nearly dropped the box. “I take your point. Thanks for the suggestion regarding Ellie.”

  The crowd of children was smaller, but Aggie still had trouble rounding everyone up and getting them into the van. She still had to stop and pick up Ian’s birthday cake, fill the van with gas, and get home before her parents arrived. She’d filled the van on Monday and already it was near empty. At this rate, their gasoline budget would be blown long before the month ended. It seemed as if every time she conquered one problem, another surfaced.