Pages of the Past (Bellingwood Book 9)

by Muir, Diane Greenwood

  "Have you asked your mom, Andrew?"

  "She said it was okay. She'll let us do anything with Eliseo. And she won't be done working until late anyway."

  "Then, yes. Rebecca, you make sure you have your warm clothes on. I know it has been a nice day, but it could get cold."

  "He's going to put blankets in the back for us."

  "Warm clothes," Polly said again. "And mittens and a hat."

  The conference room door opened and Stephanie and Kayla came out, both looking drawn and defeated.

  "Do you guys want to go on a wagon ride tonight?" Andrew asked, jumping out of his seat when he saw them.

  "Maybe not tonight," Jeff said. "But another time."

  Kayla perked up, but then she remembered that she was supposed to be sad and her shoulders drooped again.

  "Just a second guys. I need to ask Jeff something."

  Polly stepped into the outer office after he had ushered Kayla and Stephanie into his office and shut the door.

  "What's up?" he asked.

  "Can you ask Kayla again if she'd like to go?"

  "She's been through a lot this afternoon. The girls want to go home and rest."

  "Okay. She just seemed to perk up at doing this."

  "I know. But Stephanie needs her as much as anything."

  Polly nodded and said, "You're right. I'll ask Eliseo to do this again soon. Maybe she can go that time. They are staying in town, aren't they?"

  "Oh yes. Neither of them want anything to do with their old home."

  "I can't thank you enough for being with them this afternoon. That was over and above for you."

  "No problem. You've been training me for the last couple of years. It was my turn to take care of people."

  "You were exactly the right person to be in their lives."

  "Yeah. I know. Gay man. Can't be much safer than that, can you?"

  Polly felt the laugh begin in her belly. "You are such a nut. But, you're right. And Stephanie picked right up on that."

  "She held on to you while she sobbed."

  "Because I walked into it and held her. She never really let go of you. I hope that you'll be able to deal with this and maintain a good working relationship with her without her falling in love with you."

  Jeff leaned in and whispered. "I've dealt with girls who've had ridiculous crushes on me before. Gay men are always safe for girls who need love. They move on when they finally manage their emotional baggage. We become great friends after they realize there will be nothing more."

  "Someday I'll tell you about my gay crush."

  He stepped back. "You too?"

  "You have no idea. I had no idea. Sal tells me I was blind as a bat - that it was obvious to everyone but me. But I'd fallen in love with him and was not going to be denied."

  "This is a story I want to hear someday."

  "When we're drinking wine... a lot of wine." Yep, she might have a problem. The thought of wine should have put her off after last night, but no, she was ready to do it again. Maybe not tonight, but someday.

  "I want to get the girls out of here. Can you manage..." he nodded toward her office.

  "Oh yeah. Sorry." Polly stuck her head in the doorway. "Kids, why don't you go upstairs and get ready for your wagon ride. Kayla and Stephanie won't be going tonight."

  Rebecca pulled Andrew out of his chair and ran for the steps. As they went upstairs, Polly heard them chattering away at each other.

  "Thanks," Jeff said. "It always amazes me how kids can just move on. When did we lose that?"

  "I think it was junior high. Everything becomes so much more important. And by high school, the angst is enough to kill you."

  "That's why I was in drama club. We emoted all over the stage so we could..." He grinned. "No, I was still filled with angst and drama."

  Polly went back into her office as Jeff escorted Stephanie and Kayla outside and to Stephanie's car. He handed something to Stephanie as she opened her car door. The girl tried to push his hand back, but he pushed forward and she bowed her head and nodded.

  She pulled her phone out and texted Henry. "Don't bring ice cream. No one will be here but you and me."

  "Do you want to go out or stay in tonight?"

  The idea of sitting in her own living room with no one around but her husband and her animals was rather appealing. "Stay in?"

  "I hoped you would say that. Do you want to cook or have me pick something up?"

  There wasn't anything in the refrigerator upstairs worthwhile. She needed to make a grocery store run this weekend. "Pick up?"

  "Call an order in to Davey's. Put candles on the table. Wine? ;)"

  The smiley winkey face cracked her up. "How about no wine?"

  "I thought so. You'll never make a good alcoholic with that attitude."

  "Whatever. See you later."

  She didn't have it in her to do busy work in the office and besides, the work day was nearly over. People had been streaming in since she'd come down the stairs, preparing for the evening. She was done.

  "I'm going back upstairs," she said to Jeff, stopping in front of his office. "Thanks again for taking care of things."

  "No thanks necessary."

  "You were awesome."

  "My head hurts."

  She chuckled. "Of course it does. That's what happens when you get all involved with people. They make your head hurt."

  "I have to be here tonight. But what I want to do is go home and go to sleep."

  "Ummm... I don't know how to help?"

  "Maybe Sylvie has some aspirin. Or wine." He gave her an evil grin.

  "Yeah. You go ask her for wine and see what she says."

  "You guys really tied one on from everything I've heard."

  "What did you hear?"

  "Nothing much. Just that you tied one on. I haven't gone near Sylvie today. She's been like a bear with a thorn in its paw."

  "That's a lion with the thorn."

  "Whatever. She's not friendly. I hope it was all worth it."

  "It was so worth it, but I don't think any of us ever want to do that again."

  He waved her away. "I'll quit complaining. You go away and I'll talk to you later."

  Polly went upstairs and opened her front door to chaos on the floor.

  "I don't know what to wear," Rebecca said. "This coat is too hot and should I wear my ski pants?"

  "You nut. I don't think it will be that cold tonight. Here, let me help." They finally got Rebecca appropriately dressed, much to Andrew's delight.

  "Took long enough," he said.

  "You'd better not complain about getting cold," Polly said. "Or I'll never let you live it down."

  "Mom has my stuff downstairs."

  "Good. What time did Eliseo say you'd be coming back?"

  "By eight. You don't have to worry about me, though. He's taking Jason and me to our house."

  "And I'm going to sleep in Mom's room tonight, if that's okay," Rebecca said.

  "Really? No kids in my house tonight? What am I going to do with that? I'll miss you."

  "Well..." Rebecca started.

  "Oh honey, I'm kidding." Polly hugged her. "Spend time with your Mom and I'll see you in the morning."

  "When we go to Beryl's house?"

  "Any time in the morning is fine. Just come upstairs whenever you want. If we're not up, you can occupy yourself."

  "Can we go now?" an exasperated Andrew asked, tugging at Rebecca's arm.

  Rebecca rolled her eyes at Polly. "He gets so impatient."

  "Have fun," Polly said, holding the door open for them. She watched them run down the steps and then closed the door.

  "We have the house to ourselves tonight," she said to Obiwan. He followed her out into the kitchen. "Henry said candles. I can do that."

  Jessie came in through Henry's office door as Polly was setting the candles up. "Romantic dinner tonight?" she asked.

  "The kids are all going out on a wagon ride and I figured you were working the reception."
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  "Absolutely. This extra money is all going into my apartment fund. I'm going to be able to afford to put the first and last month down with no problem. And I'm also saving for a bed and things. You've really helped me by letting me live here."

  "You might as well get the best start you can with this new baby. It's going to be pretty crazy for a while."

  "I wish I could find a roommate. It would make it so much easier."

  "What about one of your friends?"

  Jessie shook her head. "They've all got their own stuff going on. Boyfriends, girlfriends. And some of them I would never live with. They're psycho."

  "I get that," Polly said. "Something will come up."

  "I was kind of thinking that we might stay here for a month, but not much longer. I'll have enough money to buy a couple of things. Especially if I check out some of the thrift stores."

  "Henry's building a crib for the baby."

  "I know. That's so awesome. It will be really special." Jessie's eyes filled. "You two have been so great. I don't know what I'd do without you."

  "I'm glad we can be part of it, sweetie. You've been a great help with the kids and I know that Marie thinks you are doing a wonderful job working there."

  Jessie brushed the tears from her eyes. "I cry all the time. It's so stupid. I need to change my clothes for working in the kitchen. I'll see you later tonight. Have fun with Henry."

  "Thanks." Polly went back into the kitchen, checked the time and made the call to Davey's to order supper.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Sanity by pizza. Polly dropped into her regular chair at Pizzazz.

  An unfamiliar waitress approached the table and asked Polly what she wanted to drink. The question confused her so much that she looked up in surprise and said, "I don't know."

  "Okay. I'll come back in a while. Will there be others joining you?"

  Polly shook her head to clear the cobwebs and then put her hand out to stop the girl. "I'm sorry. I know what I want. Where's Bri?"

  "She took the night off," the girl said, chomping loudly on a piece of gum. "Something about a baseball game or football or I don't know what. So do you know what you want?"

  "Yeah. We're here every Sunday night and Bri just takes care of it, so I'm afraid I lost my mind for a minute. There will be four of us." Polly paused to take a breath and the girl cut in.

  "I'll be back with menus."

  Polly opened her mouth to say, "No wait," but the girl was already three tables away, heading for the front of the restaurant.

  Sal and Joss came in the front door and waved to Polly before wending their way through the tables.

  "Where are the drinks?" Sal asked. "They're always here."

  Polly rolled her eyes. "New waitress. Bri is at some baseball football thing."

  "Really!" she said with a laugh. "Interesting rules."

  "She's bringing us menus. Heads up!" Polly grinned across the table as the girl dropped menus in front of Sal and Joss.

  "Four, you said?"

  "Honey-chile," Sal said, her voice dripping with Southern charm. "We don' need menus. You mus' have us confused with northenuhs who read."

  "You don't read?"

  "Only if someone makes it worth my while and honey, you ain't gonna be the one to do that."

  "Uh."

  At that, Sal snapped the other menus up from the table and put them in a stack. "We're regulars here every Sunday evening and our order is pretty simple. I'm guessing your cook knows exactly what to do and I wouldn't be surprised if it was already in the oven."

  "Okay. Can I take your drink orders then?"

  Sal was on it. "Two diet cokes, a regular coke and an iced tea. There should be an order of cheese bread and I have no idea what pizza we order every week. It just comes out. I'm sorry. I don't mean to be snippy. It was just surprising to have to think about this."

  "I'll ask Sonny. He probably knows." She picked up the menus and scooted away just as Sylvie sat down.

  "New girl? Where's Bri? She's never gone." Sylvie said, pulling off her scarf and coat.

  "Bri's at some baseball football thing. We forgot what pizza we order."

  Sylvie laughed. "I have no idea. How did you fix it?"

  "We hope Sonny remembers," Joss said. She leaned over toward Sylvie. "Would you like me to order a glass or two of wine for you?"

  Polly laughed. "How did you hear about that?"

  "What? What does she know?" Sal asked.

  "These two got blasted Thursday night and couldn't make it home. I hear there were shenanigans."

  "No shenanigans," Polly said. "But yes, I will admit to the drunk on my butt thing. A girl can't get away with anything in this town. Does everyone know?"

  Sylvie shook her head. "Enough. I heard about it all weekend and they were still teasing me about it this morning at church."

  "How come I never get invited to these parties?" Sal was indignant.

  "It wasn't going to be that kind of a party," Polly said. "We were just going to have dinner at Sylvie's house. Then it got out of hand. Sylvie's a wonderful host."

  "Henry told Nate you were down on your knees begging to spend the night."

  "I seem to remember abasing myself," Polly said. "If it had been anyone but Henry and my friends I would have been embarrassed. Now it's just a silly story."

  "That sounds like fun," Sal said. "If I remember right, getting Polly drunk is hilarious."

  "Okay, I'm a little goofy, but you're the one who throws herself on strange men when she's drinking." Polly looked at the other two. "And I mean that literally. Not just once, but at least five different times. Sal gets happy drunk and flings herself into the laps of strange men. Whether their girlfriends or wives are with them or not. I pulled her out of several bars before she got thwopped with a purse."

  "That's why I don't drink any longer," Sal said.

  "It's a good thing."

  The waitress brought their drinks and a basket of cheese bread. "Your pizza will be out in a few minutes. Sonny knew right away what your order was. It was already in the oven. Sorry about that."

  "No problem," Joss said. "Thanks."

  "I usually work the lunch hour during the week. I don't know any of these night things."

  "Really. We're fine. You're okay. Ignore our crazy lady." Joss looked at Sal, who put her hands up in a 'who me?' gesture.

  "I wish Bri would have left me a note about you. I would have read it and known."

  Joss nodded.

  "It's really confusing to come into someone else's shift and figure out what they usually do."

  "I'm sure it is," Joss said.

  "Do you need any more napkins or anything? Lemon wedge for your tea? Did I bring enough straws?"

  "We're fine, honey," Sal said. "We'll let you know if we need anything. Thanks, though."

  She hesitated at the table a moment too long and finally broke and moved away.

  "What did you do to her, Sal?" Sylvie asked. "Did you break her?"

  "I don't know. I was a little flippant, but..."

  "So," Polly interrupted. "Have you signed papers for the building across the street? I haven't heard anything else about it. Are we moving ahead?"

  Sal took a deep breath. "I'm scared to death. I keep putting it off, hoping that it will just happen without any intervention on my part."

  "That's effective."

  "Can you take care of it?"

  "I'm sorry, what?" Polly put her drink down to turn her full gaze on Sal. "Are you serious?"

  "Maybe. Kinda. I have the financing worked out, but I'm paralyzed at the thought of pulling the trigger. I'm driving Mark crazy. I call him all day long when I'm thinking about it. Then I avoid it at night by writing. I'm not sleeping at all."

  "What do you need me to do?"

  "I need you to put the papers in front of me and make me sign them. Then I need you to design the place with Henry and make him start working on it. I need you to do everything. I'll just pay the bills."

 
"When did you get this pathetic?"

  "When I moved out here and had to make big decisions by myself. You won't believe it, but Daddy always took care of things. When I decided where I wanted to go to college, he took care of the paperwork and all I had to do was go. When I got my first job, Daddy made sure I had the paperwork for that, too. I just went where they told me and once I was there, I knew what to do."

  "How in the world did you ever make it out to Bellingwood?" Joss asked, incredulous at the thought.

  "Daddy helped me find a moving company. I paid the bills and they packed everything up and brought it out."

  "You are so accomplished and smart and articulate and..." Sylvie started. "I would never have thought this about you."

  Sal scowled. "There are a few things that terrify me. If Polly hadn't been here already, I would never have considered coming. She's the one who gave me courage to do what I did in college."

  "You did a lot without me," Polly protested.

  "All of that was stuff that built on things I'd already done. It's the big, wild decisions that incapacitate me. I'm so afraid that I might be making a huge mistake."

  "But you won't know unless you try," Polly said.

  "I know that! Why do you think I want you to help me get this started? It's a great idea, but I need you to push me off the starting block."

  Polly gave her a gentle shove.

  "Yes. Exactly. So now that I've admitted my darkest secret to you, will you help me?"

  "I guess so," Polly said with a laugh. "When do you want me to start?"

  "Tomorrow morning? I'll come to you with all of the paperwork. My lawyer has already looked at it. Changes are made, things are approved. I just need someone that I trust to force me to do it. And then, help me start the rest of the process."

  "I will absolutely be that person for you. But what about Mark? Why aren't you asking him to help?"

  "Maybe I'm not ready to let him see my foibles yet."

  "Now's as good a time as any," Joss said.

  "Not on this. He said he supports me, but I..." Sal stopped, pursed her lips and looked around the table. "I want him to be proud of what I've done. He's made such an impact in Bellingwood. Everybody loves him. I don't want to take anything away from that."