“His name was Sam Evanston, and I was madly in love with him. Oh, we were so young, but ours was a magical romance,” Lillian answered dreamily.
“Lala, why haven't you ever told me about him?”
Waving her hand, she said, “Oh, I don’t know. It was such a long time ago. We were so young when he was killed in the war. I was completely devastated. But he was the love of my life,” she responded wistfully. When she caught Sadie’s shocked expression she quickly added, “Oh, honey, don’t get me wrong. I loved Jim Connelly with all my heart. He was such a good and decent man, and he treated me so well. But you know how they say you never forget your first love? Well, Sam was my first love. He was my soulmate,” she said distractedly.
“Well then, tell me, what did he look like? How did you meet? What was he like? Tell me about him. Please,” Sadie urged.
“Oh, dear, you don’t really want to listen to the ramblings of an old lady about something that happened ages ago, do you?”
“Well, of course I do. Just recently, I realized that you and I haven’t ever talked much about your past. Isn’t it natural for me to want to know about my family’s history? About your life growing up? And I think I want to know what happened with you and this Sam. Obviously, you loved each other very much. Or I guess he felt the same way,” she added.
“Well, let’s see, we actually met for the first time in October of 1942 in King’s Landing, just down the road. We were both seniors in high school. That day, I’d been lugging a gunny sack of scrap metal to the truck behind the high school and Sam swooped in and took the sack from me and casually threw it on top of the pile. He looked so pleased with himself. But, oh, I was furious! I thought he was putting me down in some way. You know, thinking I was too fragile to handle it by myself. Well, we had a brief exchange, then simmering with annoyance, I stomped off and left him standing there in a stupor,” she said laughing softly.
“Oh! What a funny first meeting,” Sadie giggled.
“Yes, thinking back on it, it was quite funny. My family moved that very same day to Harmony Glen, so we didn’t see each other again until the next January. We ran into each other at the movie Casablanca in New York City, and after that we began dating. Of course, when I got to know him, I learned that he was truly just trying to be a gentleman that first day when we saw each other in the schoolyard. But you know me. I’ve always been so independent and hot-headed,” she said shrugging her shoulders.
“So, how long were you and Sam together?”
“We spent five happy, glorious months together before he was drafted into the Army Air Force and left for training. I never saw him again. We had a whirlwind romance, but ours was a real love. It was the best time of my life,” she whispered while absentmindedly fingering the collar of her robe. Snapping out of her reverie, she said, “Anyway, Sam didn’t come back. His remains are buried somewhere in the United Kingdom. His father told me that he was killed during an airstrike on Hamburg, Germany. Did I tell you he was a machine gunner? There were five of them on the plane. He was the only one who didn’t make it,” she sighed and lowered her head.
“Lala, I’m so sorry,” Sadie whispered as she reached for her hand. “You must’ve felt just, well, just ravaged by grief.”
“You have no idea,” she whispered. The two women sat quietly for a few seconds, then brightening, Lillian sighed, squeezed Sadie’s hand, and said, “It was a long time ago. Let’s talk about something else. This is supposed to be a happy day! So, what have you been doing since I left? Oh, Sadie girl, I missed you something fierce!”
Smiling, Sadie said, “I just have one more question, Lala, then I’ll tell you all about what I’ve been up to. Okay?” she pressed.
“Fine. Let’s have it, but that’s it!” she said grinning and shaking her index finger at her.
“I promise,” Sadie said, laughing and crossing her heart. “You must have met Papa Jim not much later, right? Lala, did you love Papa Jim as much as you loved Sam?”
Placing her hand over her heart, Lillian responded, “Why, of course I loved Jim. Not the same way I loved Sam. Sam stole my heart. Jim was there for me when I needed someone. He swooped in and saved me, and over time, I grew to love him. Every day we spent together, my love for him flourished. But, honey, we love people differently. As I said, Sam was my first love. I don’t think we ever get over our first love. Jim, well, he filled the void in my heart that losing Sam had left. He was so understanding and patient with me. He was such a loving, compassionate, honorable man and I loved him dearly. I’ve been so fortunate to love and to be loved by two amazing men in my lifetime,” she replied while delicately fingering her robe collar again. Then, she looked directly at Sadie and said, “Now, it’s your turn. Spill. What have you been up to?”
Over their second cup of tea, Sadie told Lala about her classes and about how hard she’d studied for the Human Physiology II midterm. Blushing when she mentioned how infuriating it’d been to pin down Dr. Evans for help, Lillian sensed there was a little more to that story than she was sharing. She also had a funny feeling that her granddaughter was hiding even something more than that. She knew in time that Sadie would come clean, though. She never could keep anything from her for long, so she didn’t feel the need to push her just yet.
After all, they were going to a party today, and she was looking forward to spending the day with her daughters and her grandchildren. That’s why she’d suddenly decided last week to come home prematurely. That and an odd sensation that something was about to happen. Unable to explain her unwarranted feelings to her fellow vacationers, she’d told them that she just felt like she was needed at home.
*****
As she’d been relating what she’d been doing while Lillian was away, Sadie had been careful to tiptoe around how she’d spent the last week talking with Sam. Knowing she couldn’t lie to Lala, she’d casually mentioned how unusually busy Comfort & Joy had been each evening when she’d gotten her coffee and pastry before going home to study. That was the truth, after all.
Feeling certain that Lala had been satisfied with what she’d shared, she’d suggested they go upstairs and get ready for church. Lillian agreed then smiled and said that she was happy to hear that Joy’s place was doing so well and that Sadie’s midterms were over. She reached for Sadie’s cup and saucer, stacked them on hers and rose to place them in the dishwasher.
“I’m glad your classes are going so well. You can tell me about this Dr. Evans and you another time.”
Sadie gasped and said, “Lala! I don’t know what you mean,” but the flush that rose in her cheeks gave her away.
Lillian laughed lightly and said, “I said another time. I’m a patient woman. I can wait until you’re ready to tell me.”
Stunned, Sadie sat staring after her until she murmured, “The woman is a witch.” Snickering she rose and followed her grandmother upstairs to shower and change into her Sunday best.
Chapter 31
The Party
They arrived several minutes before noon, just ahead of the other guests, and Sadie grabbed Josie and her aunt by the hand and propelled them into the kitchen with her.
“Please, don’t mention Sam. I’m not sure Lala’s strong enough to see him yet. She thinks he died in World War II.”
Their eyes flew open wide and in unison they said, “Oh my gosh. Are you kidding?” They agreed not to bring it up, but made Sadie promise to fill them in later.
Just then, Lillian walked in on them and curiously scanned the guilty looks on their faces. After what seemed like an eternity, she smiled at Joy and cheerfully began singing, “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear 40-year-old daughter, happy birthday to you!” Then she giggled, wrapped her arms around Joy, and hugged her tightly.
“Oh, Mother! I’m so happy you came back early. I’ve missed you more than you know.” Joy smiled and patted Lillian’s back. Pulling back to look at her she said, “Now, let’s get this party started!” She grabbed
Lillian by the hand and led the group into the living room that had already begun to fill with guests.
Holly, Joy’s older sister by two years, and her husband, Travis, were standing just inside the dining room when Joy spotted them. Making her way over to them, she squealed when Holly held up the set of antique nickel Victorian plates and crystal levers. Joy had been drooling over them since she’d discovered them the month before while the two of them had been browsing in her favorite antique store, In Another Time.
She hugged Travis first, then Holly and gushed, “Oh my goodness, Holly! How…? When…? I can’t believe you got these for me! They’re going to look perfect on the parlor doors. Thank you so much!”
“I have my ways. I noticed how your eyes lit up when you saw them. Then, of course, you went on and on about them.” She rolled her eyes and chuckled. “I went back the next day and purchased them for you. They’ll be a beautiful addition to your lovely home.” Holly squeezed her hand.
All afternoon people from every corner of town dropped by to wish Joy a happy birthday. At six o’clock she thanked the last couple of well-wishers and closed the green etched glass panel front door behind them. Leaning against the door, she flashed a grin at her family and said, “Thank you, guys. I haven’t enjoyed myself that much in a long time. I’m exhausted!”
Katie and Lacie rushed to her side and guided her to her favorite recliner. “Sit down and put your feet up,” they insisted.
Lacie added, “I’ll bring you a piece of cake, Momma.”
“Yeah, Mom. We’ll clean up in a little bit. You just relax and visit with Lala. We’ve got this,” Katie declared.
An hour later, Joy walked Lillian and Sadie to the door. She hugged them and kissed them both on the cheek. “Bye. I love you guys so much. Thanks for helping make this the perfect birthday,” she chirped.
“Happy birthday, Aunt Joy! Love you, too,” Sadie squealed.
Cupping Joy’s face between her hands Lillian said, “Darling, I’m so happy I made it home in time for your party. I’ve missed you so much. Happy birthday, dear. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She kissed her forehead then squeezed her hand before turning to walk to the car with Sadie.
*****
Back inside, the twins had started cleaning up as they talked and giggled. Dishes clattered as they rinsed and placed them in the dishwasher. Tramping down the stairs, Josie, who’d already changed into her pajamas, ambled into the living room and plopped onto the sofa. Flicking the remote button, the Curtis Mathes console TV burst to life. Sixty Minutes had just started. Josie knew that her mom watched CBS every Sunday evening. Her favorite show, Murder, She Wrote, would air next followed by the CBS Sunday Night Movie. Looking through the TV Guide, she discovered that Out of Africa, Part 1 was the movie, but ABC’s movie was Lady Mobster starring Susan Lucci.
“Hey, Mom, can we watch the movie on ABC at ten? It stars Susan Lucci. You know, Erica from All My Children? Mom? Mom, are you okay?”
A couple of seconds went by before Joy sniffed and said, “Oh honey, I’m fine.”
Josie left the couch and squatted beside Joy’s chair reaching for the hand Joy had used to wipe a tear from her cheek a moment before. Clasping her hand, she squeezed it gently and said, “Mom…I, I love you.”
The twins had become quiet when they’d heard their mom’s sniffing. Looking at each other, they deposited their dishcloths onto the counter and silently stepped into the living room. Katie crouched behind the recliner, rested her cheek on top of Joy’s head, and wrapped her arms around her neck. Lacie knelt on the side opposite Josie and held her mother’s other hand between hers. Softly, they all wept allowing their tears to roll unheeded down their faces as Sixty Minutes droned on in front of them.
Chapter 32
Sunday Evening
Sadie pulled the car into the garage, turned to Lillian and said, “It’s been a long day and I’ve got some things to do at home before I turn in for the night. If I don’t stay tonight, you’ll be okay alone?”
Lillian patted her on the shoulder and said, “Of course, I will, dear. I’m rather tired. I think I’ll just change for bed and watch a little TV. Why don’t you run on home and do what you need to do? I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Well, if you’re sure…”
“You go on now. I’m perfectly fine. Have a good night, dear,” Lillian insisted.
“Well, let me at least walk you to the door,” Sadie replied.
On the porch, Sadie hugged Lillian and said, “I love you, Lala. Have I ever told you how wonderful you are?”
“Only a few hundred times.” Lillian chuckled.
“I’m just so happy that you’re home,” Sadie said as she hugged her again.
“I am too. I missed all of you so much. It’s always fun to go on vacation, but it’s really nice to get back home.”
After they said their final goodnights, Lillian unlocked the door, but waited on the porch to wave as Sadie got into her car and pulled out of the drive. Noting that she headed in the opposite direction of her apartment, Lillian suspected again that her granddaughter was hiding more than her feelings for this Dr. Evans.
Chapter 33
Sadie had called Sam at eight that morning, but they’d only had a moment to talk. Calling from the phone on the upstairs landing, she’d been afraid her grandmother would be able to hear her downstairs in the kitchen. Whispering hurriedly, she’d agreed to come by the inn at eight that evening to discuss how to get the two of them together again.
*****
Sam had spent all morning in his room catching up on some paperwork for the Christmas tree farm. It’d become increasingly difficult to concentrate on such mundane affairs as the morning hours slowly ticked by. Lillian’s ghostly pale expression from the night before stubbornly appeared on every page.
Setting the files aside, he’d scolded himself for being such a coward last night. Why had he skulked away? Being with Lillian was all he’d been dreaming about for months, and when he’d finally gotten the chance, he’d blown it. He was beginning to see a theme when it came to the two of them. Even after forty-five years, he still had a knack for making a mess of things. Although, he realized that seeing her last night had also been a shock for him because he’d been under the impression that she’d passed away in August. It would’ve shocked anyone who’d been in each of their positions. So, maybe he ought to cut himself a little slack.
Tired of combing through paperwork and the constant reminders of what a chump he’d been, he decided to go for a drive. Fresh air was just what he needed to clear his head. Grabbing his jacket and car keys, he headed to his rental car.
After enjoying a light lunch at a deli out on the highway, he found himself heading in the direction of Acorn Lake. Pleased that he remembered the back way, he was delighted to see that it had remained much the same. Never having the opportunity before to visit the lake house in the fall, he was enthralled with the scenery. The autumn leaves were at peak color, flaunting their brilliant red, orange and yellow hues. Through the gently swaying branches, rays of sunshine checkered the lane with light. He could feel the tension he’d been carrying in his shoulders all morning begin to diminish.
Driving around the house and pulling up to the back of it, he noticed that it looked vacant, although the lawn was neat and the old place looked freshly painted. Willie had said that they’d sold the place a couple of years before. Maybe the new owners had already closed it up for winter.
He shut off the engine of his rental and sat for a couple of minutes allowing himself to soak up the view of the beloved house and lake beyond it. This place held so many lovely, cherished memories of the times he’d spent with Lillian and their friends. He reveled in each one as it played out in his mind.
Lingering over his favorite memory, he recalled that it’d been a beautiful spring night. He and Lillian were dancing alone on the patio to their favorite song, “Who Wouldn’t Love You?” He held her closely and sang to her as they danced. When the song was
over, they kissed more deeply and passionately than they ever had before. That was the moment he knew that Lillian was his forever.
Stepping out of the vehicle now, he turned and faced the lake. The soft breeze ruffled his hair as he listened to the leaves rustling in the trees and the gentle lapping sound of the waves licking the shore. Through squinted eyes, he luxuriated in the sparkles of sunlight glistening off the lake’s surface.
Not wanting to trespass, he walked the perimeter of the yard admiring the elegant lake home. As he passed each window, he fondly recalled the room on the other side of it. Coming full circle, he regarded the empty patio for a moment. Then his eyes drifted to the French doors that opened into the den. His nose and eyes began to sting as tears threatened. Overcome by the surge of feelings, he wheeled around and strode back to the car. Once inside, he dabbed at his eyes and blew his nose on his handkerchief.
Sighing, he whispered, “Lillian. My dearest Lillian. We have to find our way back to each other.”
He glanced back at the lake house until fresh tears blurred it. Reluctantly, he felt for the key in the ignition and started the engine then numbly drove back to his room at the inn.
Chapter 34
Sadie was exhausted by the time she knocked on Sam’s door at the inn. At the front desk, Joshua smiled and told her to go on up because when Sam came in earlier, he’d told him that he was expecting her. After she knocked lightly a couple times, he opened the door wearing a weary smile and waved her in. She noticed that he looked tired and his eyes looked red and puffy as if he’d been crying. He asked if she’d like a drink.
In Another Time Page 14