by Curry, Edna
She hesitated. Dare she ask for flowers for her sister’s grave? Why not? She could easily imagine LaRae doing the same for her. “Could we stop at the cemetery for a few minutes on the way to Aunt Martha’s tonight? It’s not out of the way, is it?”
“Of course. No, it’s right on the way. But we’ll have Susie with us. Don’t you think she’s too young?”
Too young? How young is too young to visit your own mother’s grave? But, of course, they thought it was only her aunt Laurie’s grave, and Laurie was someone they’d hardly known. “Of course not. Children need to accept death as a natural part of life. Would you pick up a bouquet for me to leave at the cemetery?”
“Sure.”
“I’ll see you about five then.”
She hung up with a sigh of relief. Had she handled that all right? Would LaRae have done it differently?
Rummaging in the hall closet, she found LaRae’s shoes and slipped them on. She grabbed a jacket from the peg in the hall, and strode out into the sunshine.
The fresh cool breeze that greeted her smelled of wet earth and pine needles. Ah, the delicious smell of spring in Minnesota. At last she felt back home. She breathed deeply of the clean air, then took off at a brisk pace, following the blacktop road along the lake.
Each section of lake shore seemed to be a family’s private property here, since often as not, there was a fence between houses. Some yards were neat as a pin, and lined with shrubs or flowerbeds, other yards were scraggly and unkempt. Some had swing-sets and toys scattered about. Obviously the neighborhood had a mixture of young and old residents.
A mailbox stood at the end of each driveway, bespeaking rural mail delivery. How often? When did the mailman come? Did LaRae walk out to the mailbox to get the mail each day? Or did Agnes do it?
As she walked past, she surreptitiously studied the names on the mailboxes near her new home, so that she would recognize her neighbors’ names when she met them. There was so much to remember if she was going to succeed in passing herself off as LaRae.
She walked along, enjoying the beautiful day and thinking of her sister.
Again, the awful images of the crash sped through her mind, and the awful time in the hospital when she’d learned of her sister’s death. How she wished it could have been otherwise, but she had to come to terms with losing her twin. Susie and Jass didn’t deserve to lose LaRae, either.
Out of the blue an odd thought popped into her mind. Oh, God, was she also cheating LaRae of being mourned by her husband and daughter? What if LaRae could see her now, and know what she was up to? Would she laugh and cheer her on as they’d done as teens? Or would she be angry and jealous? After all, LaRae had kept Jass away from her as soon as she realized that Laurie was attracted to him too, hadn’t she?
On the other hand, LaRae had said she wanted a divorce. Did Jass know that? Or hadn’t LaRae told him? Was that what he’d meant when he’d said, ‘I was afraid you weren’t coming back?’
Ye gods, what a mess I’ve made of things. Turning, she headed back toward the house. As she rounded a large evergreen tree and walked into her backyard, she almost ran into a large, middle aged man dressed in a baseball cap and blue coveralls.
Laurie stopped, a scream rising from her throat. She stood stock still as the man drew back in surprise.
Without thinking, she gasped, “Wh—who are you?”
The man stared at her, shock written on his face. She groaned. Another goof. Obviously he was someone she was supposed to know.
Then he touched his cap and said, “Morning, Miss LaRae. Sorry if I scared you. Nice to see you back.”
Laurie swallowed, and stammered, “Thank you. I’m sorry. I mean, gosh, you startled me. I’m glad to be back.”
Agnes came flying from the side door, asking, “What’s all the noise about, George? What’s the matter?”
Her heart pounding, Laurie turned to Agnes. George? Agnes knew this man, so he was obviously no intruder. Swallowing, she murmured, “Nothing, Agnes. I—I just didn’t recognize him for a minute. I’m sorry to upset everyone. My memory—” She eased past the man and walked quickly into the house.
Agnes stared at the gardener, her eyes narrowing. “What gives, George? You make a pass at her or something?”
“Of course not! Good Lord, woman, you think I’m that dumb? Mr. Markham would fire me so quick!” He snapped a callused thumb and forefinger together.
Her hands akimbo on her ample hips, Agnes scowled at him. “And I’d have your hide as well. You’re my man, and don’t you forget it!”
“I wouldn’t forget, Woman. Besides, nobody makes a pot roast like you do. And you know it.”
“Humph. That’s all you think of, your stomach.”
George took off his cap and ran thick fingers through his sandy hair. “Funny, though. She looked right at me. I could have sworn she didn’t have an inkling who the heck I was.”
Agnes nodded. “Maybe she didn’t. She says the accident took away some of her memory.”
“That so? Hmmm. Mebbe so. I’ve heard of that happening to people. By the way, isn’t it about time for lunch? Here’s Harold with Susie.” A new red pick-up truck stopped in their driveway. George waved to the tall, slim man driving it. Susie jumped out and turned to wave at the boy and girl in the pick-up.
“Bye, Davie and Cindy. Hi, George and Agnes.” Susie skipped up the sidewalk and took Agnes’ hand.
They went into the house.
“Wash your hands, Honey, and go tell your mom lunch is ready.”
Chapter 6
Laurie kicked off her shoes and stretched out on her bed, trying to calm her shaking hands and pounding heart.
She had to get hold of herself. Why had she become so frightened? That man, George, Agnes had called him, hadn’t been doing anything to threaten her, yet she’d been unable to stop the scream. She shuddered, remembering the fear rushing through her.
It was those stupid nightmares she’d been having. There was always a large, repulsive man in them, threatening Susie, like Emy had said.
Had she really talked to Emy? What was reality? She pressed her fingers to her temples, trying to ease the painful tension throbbing there.
“Mommy? Agnes says lunch is ready.”
“Oh, you’re home?” Laurie sat up and smoothed her hair.
“I got a ride with Davie’s daddy. Didn’t you hear us come in?”
“No.” Laurie slipped her feet into her slippers.
“Harold was at the fire at Cindy’s place, too, Mommy. But he didn’t get burneded this time.”
“Burned, not burneded,” Laurie corrected automatically. “That’s good. Who’s Harold?” she asked cautiously.
Susie giggled and looked at her, tipping her head to see if she were playing games. “Silly Mommy. You know that Harold is Davie’s daddy.”
Laurie swallowed. Cathy had told her that this morning, of course. She had to get these people’s names memorized. She looked at Susie and said cautiously, “The car accident took away some of my memory, Susie. That’s why I forget some stuff. Will you help me remember when I forget?”
“Sure, Mommy.” Susie’s face grew serious, her eyes were wide with wonder.
Laurie took Susie’s hand. “It embarrasses me to forget, though, Honey, so it’ll be just our little secret, okay?” Did she dare trust a five-year-old?
“Sure, Mommy. Like a game, huh?”
“Yes. A fun game.” A game with very high stakes. If Jass realized who she was, she’d be out on her ear, and he’d probably never speak to her again. This had to work. But perhaps Susie’s chatter could yield a wealth of information and save her some embarrassment. Besides, she loved to listen to Susie. She was the sweetest bundle of energy Laurie’d ever met.
All through lunch Susie chattered about kindergarten.
Agnes was solicitous and said nothing about her earlier failure to recognize George. Laurie told her Jass would be home early for dinner, and Agnes merely nodded. Apparently his request
was not unusual. Did he keep irregular hours?
What happened now? Where was the nanny? Did a five-year-old still take a nap? Laurie decided one was in order today, anyway. But when she suggested it, Susie objected, “I’m big, now. I don’t take a nap anymore.”
“We’re going to Aunt Martha’s house tonight, remember?"
Susie looked questioningly at her, as though wondering what Aunt Martha had to do with taking a nap.
“So, you’d better take a nap today, or you'll be tired tonight. How about a little rest on my bed, and a story to start with?”
“Okay, Mommy.”
As they walked down the hall, George came in the kitchen door to eat lunch with Agnes. He watched them out of sight, then asked, “Did she say anything more?”
Agnes shook her head. “Not another word. LaRae’s sure acting strange, though. I’ve never seen her pay that much attention to Susie before. She’s letting Susie nap on her own bed, when she usually tells her to keep off of it, because she might get dirt on the bedspread. And she told Susie she’d read her a story, too.”
“Well, that’s great. Susie needs the attention. Goodness knows she’s had little enough from her mother until now.”
“Maybe something good will come from that accident after all. Maybe losing her sister made her think a bit. You know there’s always a silver lining in every cloud, George.”
“There you go with those old sayings again, Woman. Come on, let’s eat. I’m starved.”
***
Jass pulled into the driveway right on time. He dreaded the evening ahead. LaRae always hated making her ‘duty calls’ on Aunt Martha, and the evening usually ended on a sour note.
He hoped it wouldn’t tonight, just for once.
Walking through the side door into the kitchen, he was pleased to see Agnes had dinner waiting. “Hi, Agnes. Mmm, smells great! Do I smell stuffing?”
“Stuffed pork chops. Your favorite,” she told him with a grin.
He hung up his jacket in the hall closet. “I thought so. You’re a real gem, Agnes.”
“I know. And don’t you forget it!” Agnes returned sassily.
“Where is everybody?”
“Diane hasn’t come back from her university class yet. LaRae’s in her room, and Susie’s in the family room watching TV.”
“Oops. Sorry, I forgot to tell you. I talked to LaRae, and it slipped my mind. I told Diane she could have the night off, because we’ll be taking Susie with us tonight. Diane said she had a date, would be home late, and to tell you not to save supper for her. Was Susie a bother to you?”
“No, I’ve hardly seen her. She’s been with LaRae all afternoon.”
“Really?” That was a switch. Usually, LaRae acted like she didn’t know what to do with the kid. “I’ll get her.”
He walked down the hall to her bedroom and stopped at the open door. She was sitting cross-legged on the bed, with open photo albums spread around her, apparently absorbed in looking at the pictures. Man, but she was beautiful! “Hi, LaRae. Dinner’s ready.” He walked in and leaned over to give her a quick kiss.
“Jass! You’re home.” Her face lit up in a welcoming smile. She slid to the edge of the bed and stood up to put her free arm around his neck, trying to get as close as possible with the cast between them.
She opened her lips to welcome his kiss.
After a moment of surprise, Jass wrapped his arms around her and deepened the kiss to give her the heated response she was begging for. He grew hard with desire. He eased her down on the bed and covered her body with his. “Damn cast!” he murmured against her mouth. “How long before it comes off?”
“Just a couple more weeks.”
He slid his hand under her blouse and cupped her full breast, then teased her erect nipple with his thumb. She was aroused and ready, too. God, he wanted to take her right this minute, just as she obviously wanted him to.
“LaRae!” He pulled back and drew a ragged breath.
“Hm?” Her tongue teased his lower lip and she tried to resume the heated kiss.
“Agnes has dinner waiting. We’ll have to finish this later.” He pulled away and helped her slide off the bed.
She turned away with a disappointed look on her face. “Where’s Susie?”
“Watching television. Sorry I forgot to tell you I gave Diane the night off. She said a date was picking her up after her University class to go to a party. Was Susie any trouble?”
“Trouble?” She glanced at him as she awkwardly bent to put on her shoes. Why would her own daughter be trouble? “Of course not.”
“Here, let me help.” Jass stooped down and slid first one shoe on for her, then the other. He had to have a couple of minutes to hide his erection, or Susie or Agnes might notice. Man, but she’d managed to rouse him! Come to think of it, it had been weeks since they’d made love. Way before she’d left for California, in fact. She’d obviously forgiven him for their quarrel, he thought with relief. She hadn’t mentioned her threat of a divorce again, either. Maybe she hadn’t really meant that, only said it in the heat of anger. She certainly wasn’t acting like she wanted a divorce now.
Too bad they’d planned to go to Martha’s house tonight. He could think of better things to do with the evening right here in her bed.
“Thanks, Jass.”
Her warm smile did nothing to help him cool down. Inwardly groaning, he rose, took her arm and they walked down the hall to the family room to find Susie.
After dinner, they got in the car for the trip to Aunt Martha’s house.
Jass was pleased when LaRae exclaimed over the spray of red roses he’d chosen for her sister’s grave. “They’re lovely, Jass. Thank you. It was sweet of you to get them, when there will probably still be some from yesterday.” She sent him a grateful smile, and picked them up.
“I thought you might want to put some on your parents’ graves as well.”
“Good idea.” She held them to her nose and breathed in their delicate scent, then put them down on her lap.
“What are the flowers for, Daddy?”
“They’re for your Aunt Laurie’s grave and your Grampa and Grandma Johnson’s graves. We’ll stop at the cemetery on the way to your Great Aunt Martha’s,” Jass said.
At the cemetery he parked as near as the road allowed, and they walked over to Laurie’s grave. He and Susie hung back. He watched her bend to place the fresh red roses on the grave. She stepped back to stare at the mound of freshly turned black dirt. The large spray of flowers from the funeral was beginning to wilt. He wanted to comfort her but knew she needed this time alone at her twin’s gravesite.
He stood still, swallowing his own tears. Even though they’d seen little of Laurie, he was beginning to understand how strong the bond had been between the twins. LaRae had told him that she’d always felt they were two halves of a whole. Now he was beginning to believe it. He could see how painful it was for her to lose her other half.
He felt like a heel for having blamed her for the accident and vowed to try to make it up to her. The police accident report hadn’t blamed her, so why should he?
Susie watched her, too, silent and curious, her hand tightly clutching his.
A moment later, LaRae had moved away from the grave. She placed more of the roses on her parents’ graves, and stood there for a long moment. She had to wipe away tears to read the inscription on the headstone. Then, still holding a few roses, she walked across the cemetery in purposeful strides.
Jass followed, wondering who else she’d known who was buried here. She seemed to know exactly where she was going.
Susie tugged at his hand and he slowed down to accommodate her short legs. “Where’s Mommy going?”
“I don’t know, Sweetheart. Let’s go see.”
She clung to his hand as they walked across the cemetery. “I don’t like it here, Daddy. I’m cold. Let’s go to Aunt Martha’s now.”
He realized the wind had picked up and dark clouds were piling up on the wester
n horizon. The beautiful red sunset they had admired earlier was now hidden. “We’ll go in just a minute, Sweetheart.”
Ahead, LaRae stopped at a grave in the last row, placed the last roses on the grave, and stood reading the inscription on a small granite foot-stone.
They caught up with her and Jass read it aloud. “Emy Trenton 1984-1989. Oh, Man. She was only five years old!” He felt confused. LaRae had never mentioned an Emy before. Who was she? “Someone you knew?” he asked gently, slipping an arm around her waist.
LaRae nodded. “A childhood playmate. She died when we were five.”
“An accident?”
“No.” She shook her head and roused herself, glancing at him and giving a meaningful shake of her head toward Susie. “Let’s go. Aunt Martha will be wondering what’s keeping us.”
Very strange, he thought as they walked back to the car. But he understood LaRae didn’t want to tell him how Emy had died in front of Susie. It was best to go with the flow for now, and not upset Susie. He’d find out what this was all about later.
“Oh, Susie, you’re shivering,” Laurie exclaimed as Jass unlocked the Mercedes for them. “Sit up here by the heater. We’ll get you warm in a jiffy.”
“LaRae,” Jass objected. “This car has bucket seats, and it’ll be uncomfortable for both of you with your arm in that cast.”
“Nonsense,” Laurie said, buckling Susie in. She reached for the lap robe from the back and tucked it around her. “She needs to get warm. I’ll sit in the back.” She got into the back seat and closed the door.
Jass tightened his lips and got behind the wheel. “I feel like a chauffeur with you sitting in the back seat.”