Before she could stop herself, Claire blurted out, “Where does she get her good nature, you think?”
George leaned against the counter, eyes turned up in thought. He shook his head and took a quick sip of coffee. “I don’t know,” he said softly.
Unable to resist, she continued, “Oh, come on, I bet she takes after Anita. As nice as you are and with your success, I bet she was charming and had a sparkling personality. I can almost see her in my mind’s eye.” Claire smiled over at him and finished loading the sandwiches on plates.
The expression on George’s face had clouded. In the depths of his eyes, she detected deep sorrow, perhaps some hidden regrets he’d kept to himself.
“George, I didn’t mean to get anything started. Really, I didn’t.” Claire placed her hand on the top of his arm. “I was just wondering, that’s all.”
“No, you’re okay. You see, nobody really understood Anita like I did. She was kind of hard to read sometimes. Came from a humble background, but what I admired about her was the fact she rose above it all, conducted herself like a queen. It was like she knew having more in life was her birthright and somehow she’d been cheated at first.” George shook his head, chuckling. “She wasn’t having anything but the best.”
Claire stood transfixed, ears taking in every word.
“I was only too glad to see that she got all she wanted. I enjoyed spoiling her, making her feel special. The only downside is that she sometimes let it go to her head, and people didn’t like it, of course.” He turned to Claire, peering into her eyes. “I know the staff at the store didn’t like her. People think I don’t hear things, but I do.”
“Did she love Anna?” Deep inside Claire cringed, but at this point, she really wanted to know. From the moment Oma shined a glaring light on the subject of Anita, she wanted to hear George’s side of the story. No better a time to find out than now.
He tapped a finger against his cup, lips pursed together. “Hate like the devil to admit it, but I think having children cramped her style. It took the attention away from her, hindered her from the freedom she enjoyed.” George warmed his cup with a little more coffee from the Chemex and stared out the window a few minutes.
In silence Claire placed the sandwiches on the plate.
“But I liked Anita’s boldness, her overall sense of judgement, and her impeccable taste in things. She was a perfectionist too. Just because someone’s not cut out all that great for kids doesn’t mean they have no merit in my life.”
“And you? Did you want more kids?”
“Sure. That’s what we do. We grow up, start making it on our own, and have our own families. It’s human tradition, I think.” He placed his cup in the sink. “Besides, having Anna around has pulled me outside myself, keeps me on the straight and narrow and makes me think about things before I do them. She always keeps me questioning, keeps me creative.”
“I’ve always wanted children.” Claire carried the plates to the table. “I do think they keep you on your toes.”
“You think you’ll ever try again if you get the chance, Claire? It’s a personal question, I know, but I was just wondering.” George seated himself at the table again while Claire gathered silverware and napkins.
“If I ever get the chance again, I don’t see why not. I don’t give up easily, as you can probably guess.”
“Good for you. Never give up. No matter what.”
Claire filled some glasses with lemonade and called Anna into the kitchen. The little table barely held the three of them, and Anna had to make do sitting on a tiny kitchen stool. That didn’t matter today to Claire. She wanted cozy, intimate, a chance to almost feel the heat from her companions. She wanted to enjoy Anna’s curls and admire the sheen up close. She wanted to gaze deeper into George’s face without being too obtrusive.
“The kitties are asleep,” Anna announced. “I petted them until they were sleepy. Their eyes went like this . . .” She narrowed her eyes into slits, tilting her head a little to the side. “And then they went like this . . .” Anna produced her best rendition of a cat purring.
“You’re a good little mommy, darling. That’s just what those little sweeties needed, a good nap.” Claire rubbed Anna’s shoulder while the little girl beamed up at her with pride.
“Can I come see them anytime I want, Miss Claire?” The blue in Anna’s eyes shimmered. Claire wanted to dive into those two deep pools of blue and lose herself for a while in the realm of make-believe where all children dwelled before maturity snatched them away unwittingly in its gnarly, sneaky clutches.
“Of course you can, dear. If daddy says it’s okay, then you can come.”
George’s gaze burned into her as she uttered her last words. Claire glanced down at her food, trying to squelch the wave of embarrassment washing over her. If daddy says it’s okay. Couldn’t she just as easily have said, ‘If your father says it’s okay?’” It all just slipped out. Truly it did. The subject of Anita, she’d egged on. She’d own that one. The rest, not so much. She definitely needed to put more thought into what she said, especially when asking and answering questions. Life had taught her that there were two sides to every story, and sometimes stating what was on your mind wasn’t always bad, especially if it didn’t get you killed. If she pinpointed any weaknesses in herself, dying of curiosity and testing the waters rated high on the list. Maybe she, Ruby, and the others at the store shared more commonalities than not.
The remainder of lunch continued with normal chit chat. At times, Anna chimed in with questions not relating to anything in particular. At the very end, George asked a peculiar question.
“Claire, do you need three bedrooms here?”
***
Finally, it was all finished. She’d set everything up to her specifications, attaching parts and pieces in all the right places. Anna sat next to her, sorting through all colors of thread, running her fingers and crying out, “Look at this one, Miss Claire.” She held up a bundle of scarlet threads, gently pulling them apart just to watch them fall back into place again.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it, Anna?” Claire stepped back, admiring the loom that had taken up residence in the bedroom beside the staircase. Hardly believing she possessed one, she kept touching it here and there just to make sure it was real and wouldn’t vanish before her eyes. Another Saturday had rolled around, and George had surprised her early this morning with this treasure.
“You like it?” George stood in the doorway grinning.
“You really shouldn’t have. It’s too much. You can take the cost of it out of my wages. That’s only fair.” Claire fingered one of the heddles.
“I’ll do nothing of the kind. Besides, you’re supposed to make some pieces for the store. I’m holding you to that, you know.”
“Let’s make something, Miss Claire.” Anna held out four bundles of threads, waving them in front of her. “These colors are pretty.”
“They are pretty.” Claire took the bundles. “Do you want me to show you how they go?”
“Yes, yes, yes.” The little girl clapped and walked up close to the loom, inspecting everything. “This looks awfully hard.”
“Oh, sweetheart, can you please get the little kitties out of the boxes?” Claire had meant the request for Anna, but George stepped into the room and headed toward the boxes. “Come here, you little buggers. We don’t need your two cents worth in here.” He scooped up the two cats. “I’ll take them downstairs. Have fun up here. I’m going on home.” Turning to Claire, he added, “When you two are done, why don’t you come over for dinner? My new housekeeper has a nice spread fixed for tonight.”
“Edna? She seems like she’s working out nicely for you. And for Anna.” Claire wrapped her arm around the little body that had surrounded her waist with loving arms.
“She’s not a nice as you, Miss Claire.” Anna mumbled the words as she buried her face in Claire’s apron.
“Anna, surely don’t mean that. I’m sure poor Edna loves you dearly
.” Claire scolded gently, tousling the mound of blonde curls shaking back and forth.
“Does she love me more than you?” Anna looked up with imploring eyes. Claire swore she saw those pink lips tremble.
“Anna, Miss Claire and Miss Edna both love you. How’s that for lots of love? And daddy loves you even more.” George’s eyes darted from Claire to Anna.
“I agree with daddy, little sweet one.” Ugh, she’d done it again. Claire took in a deep breath, refusing to look George in the eye. “You’ve got lots of love. Such a lucky girl.”
“Can Miss Claire spend the night? She and I can have a party with Lulabelle.”
“Darling, I can’t spend the night, but you know what, after church tomorrow, you can bring Lulabelle over and we’ll have a bonfire by the river.”
“Can we, Daddy?” Anna peeked up, face brightening.
“Of course we can, honey.” George, still holding two cats that were struggling to get away, moved toward the stairs. “See you later, Claire.”
His steps faded as he made his way down. A few minutes later, the front door closed. Claire spent the next four hours showing Anna how to set up the threads in the loom and how she worked the peddle and threads. Using the colors Anna had picked out, she began looming a small hand towel. Anna watched with fascination as the body of the towel grew longer.
“That’s pretty, Miss Claire.” Anna gently touched the piece.
“And you know what, precious? Mommy . . . I mean, I’ll make a nice blanket for Lulabelle. How would you like that?”
Anna stepped back, surprised. “Yes.”
Claire caught a view of Anna’s face, her gaze wide with wonder. What was going on inside that little head of hers? Oh, if Anna could only stay with her, they’d have so much fun. They’d work the loom, bake cookies. Anna could play jacks on the porch, and they’d walk on the bank of the river and watch the barges glide slowly over the glassy currents. And she could play with Buzzie and Moo. If only.
***
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Wright.” Edna, a portly woman with silvery hair slipped back into a tight bun and dressed in a grey cotton housekeepers uniform, held the door wide open, allowing Claire and Anna to pass in side. During their walk, Anna had held tightly onto her hand the entire time, chattering away about the loom, the cats, asking questions about why the cows weren’t out today, and the most important questions, how many more days before the hayride and what would she wear for Halloween. Claire answered absently, thinking more about what a beautiful day it was, how grateful she was to have a loom again, and how she’d get to spend more time with George as well as Anna tonight.
The smells from the kitchen wafted out, filling the house with the scent of pan-fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, cornbread, and fried okra.
“And I’ve made apple dumplings for dessert.” Edna smiled proudly.
“Apple dumplings? How fancy.” Claire winked an eye of approval. “And why those?”
Edna stifled a laugh and glanced around to see if anyone else was around. “Anna loves Uncle Wiggily, the children’s story. She also has the game, which we play all the time. Uncle Wiggily, a long-eared rabbit gentleman, has a muskrat lady housekeeper who makes him apple dumplings as a treat. She likes to think I’m Nurse Jane Fuzzy Wuzzy, and begs me to make her apple dumplings.”
Claire snickered. “How cute. And how sweet of you to make them. I’ve heard of them, but I’ve never eaten any.”
“Mine are really good. I use lots of cinnamon, and I boil the syrup down where it’s thicker and goes over the dumpling much nicer without making them soggy.” Edna laughed. “I’m pretty sure my apple dumplings would beat out Nurse Jane Fuzzy Wuzzy’s any day.”
The ladies’ laughter drew George from the hallway.
“I’m missing out on something good. Do tell.” He came up to Claire, wrapping an arm around her in a snug embrace. Edna looked on with no hint of emotion.
“Mr. Parker, I’m going back to the kitchen and finish dinner. The table is already set in the dining room.” The older lady nodded politely at Claire and soon disappeared inside the kitchen.
“She insisted that we eat in a more formal location.” George shook his head. “You didn’t mind the kitchen, did you?”
Laughing, Claire leaned her head against his shoulder for a moment. “I’m happy anywhere you and Anna are.” Within seconds, she stood up straight and pulled lightly away. His eyes stayed on her. The expression on his face showed one in a brief but far-off reverie. George’s arm slid away, resting once again down at his side.
“Let’s sit for a while until Edna says we’re ready.” He gestured toward the couch.
“Sounds good to me. And Anna?”
“She’s already playing in her room. I told her to wash up and be ready for dinner when she’s called.”
Claire selected a spot on the couch, George settling down beside her. She saw his hand waver at little, as if he might land it on top of hers. She desperately needed to talk to Mitchell about what to do concerning her marriage to Adrian. A new life awaited her, along with people she’d grown to care about, even in such a short time.
George’s hand inched closer to hers. “I’m so glad you’re eating with us tonight. It’s always so much nicer when we do this together.” His eyes lit up.
“Me to. And having Edna around adds more warmth. I like her. She seems so nice, George.”
“Did you and Anna have a go at the loom? I really wanted it to be a surprise.”
“You surprised me all right. And yes, I’ve showed Anna how to work it.”
“George?” Claire’s hand trailed over to his knee. “Do you have a sewing machine?”
“I have the one Anita used. I’d always thought I could at least hire someone to come in and use it, or maybe sell it. Why?”
“No, don’t get rid of it. I was thinking about making Anna a Halloween outfit.”
His lips spread into a wide smile. “You don’t say. That would be a great idea. Have anything in mind?”
“I’m not sure yet. I’ll have to see what she wants.” Claire look up at him. “I wouldn’t be in your way, would I? And I’m pretty fast.”
“You are welcome here anytime you want. Anna will be thrilled.”
“Good, then it’s settled. I’ll make her something fun.”
Edna gave the notice that dinner was served, and then went off to tell Anna to come to the table. The plates had been filled and the candles burning. No amount of coaxing changed Edna’s mind about staying in the kitchen while everyone else dined together. “I know my place, sir, but thank you for asking.” She smiled and left the dining room.
Chapter Sixteen
“Does anyone have any questions? Do we think we’ve covered everything?” Claire stacked the catalogs neatly on the table.
It was six-thirty in the evening. Everyone had gathered in the break room, agreeing to stay over this night. Claire made sure each one had a say on what they thought should stay on the shelves or go.
Leona spoke up. “I think we’ve gone through everything with a fine-toothed comb. I like our decisions, but it’s all a big gamble like retail always is.”
“What do we do next? Run a big sale before we get the new goods in?” Jack raised his hand for attention. “I’m just wondering, how many customers we’ll get with all the news on the radio and in the papers.”
“Until we’re in this war, we keep on like we’ve been doing. We won’t know until we try.” It was Oma who interjected. “Keeping stale merchandise doesn’t mean anything, either. I say do what you can now, and we’ll regroup again later if we have to.”
“Smart idea, Oma.” Claire nodded in approval. “Who wants to pick a sale day?”
Minnie raised her hand. “I say let’s do it the last week of the month. It’ll clear out things so we can make way for Christmas.”
“Anybody opposed?” Claire scanned the group. “Fine, we’ll tell Mr. Parker so he can let the newspaper know. We’ve got another week left
and then that’s it for October.”
Everyone shook their heads.
“Sounds like we’ve picked a week for running a sale.” Ruby’s voice rang out. “And while we’re all here, how many are going to Mr. Hyde’s party?” A murmur from the group indicated that each person had been invited and they were intent on coming.
“You going with Mr. Parker, Claire?” Ruby’s lips twisted up into a half smile. Her eyes had narrowed just a little as she waited for an answer. Oma’s quick kick of admonition against Ruby’s foot didn’t escape Claire’s quick eye.
Claire lightly cleared her throat. “Well, Ruby, since you’ll be there, too, why don’t I just let you find out for yourself?” She took a moment, making brief eye contact with each co-worker. “And I think that goes for the rest of you who are dying to know.”
Roy and Jack turned their faces to the floor. Oma sat wide-eyed in her seat, staring straight ahead. The women turned their heads just enough to cast quick glances at each other. Dahlia’s nerves escalated to such a point, she chewed on a hangnail, eyelashes fluttering more rapidly than usual. Joy twiddled her thumbs.
Finally, Roy broke the silence. “Aw, look, Claire, I may be a man, but we’d all like to get to know you a little bit better, where you came from and what made you pick Knoxville. It’s sort of a getting-to-know-you thing. We don’t mean any harm.”
Ruby piped up, “Claire and I broached this subject the other day. We’d have talked more, but we had to get back to work.” Ruby faced her co-worker head-on. “Claire, isn’t there anything you can share with us? I mean, the way you’ve been so tight-lipped, it makes us wonder if you didn’t kill somebody and run away.” She shrugged, chuckling. The others perked their heads up.
Claire clenched her teeth, scrambling hard for a story. “Rest assured, I didn’t kill anyone. I left West Tennessee in search of a new beginning. I’ve had some personal changes in my life that were unexpected, and I thought a bigger city in another location would do the trick, get me on a different path in life.”
Escape From Purgatory Page 18