Mirror Image

by Curry, Edna

  LaRae was selling a lot of stock? Why? What was she up to now? He wanted to ask more details, but bit his tongue. Instead, he said confidently, “Did you ask her about it? It’s really not my business.”

  “Well, yes, I talked to her. But she’s all upset right now about Martha, you know. So I doubt she’s thinking straight.”

  In other words, she didn’t back down to you. That’s a switch. What’s gotten into her lately? “Mr. Elton, it’s her money, isn’t it? I’d suggest you do as she ordered.”

  “Well, but, um, well, as her husband, couldn’t you talk some sense into her or something?”

  “No.”

  Mr. Elton’s voice rose to a whine. “How’s she gonna take care of all this without me? I mean, she even wants the stock put in her own name, for Pete’s sake. And she wants to close her account with my firm that she’s had since her father died!”

  Well, well, well. Maybe LaRae was getting smart after all and getting rid of this jerk!

  “Mr. Elton, you know those stocks were an inheritance from LaRae’s father. I’ve never interfered in how she handled the money, and I have no intention of starting now.”

  “But…you’re her husband! She’ll listen to you.”

  “No. Good day, Sir.”

  He hung up, and sat staring at the wall. He’d meant what he’d told the man. But what was LaRae really up to? He was willing to bet she knew nothing about stocks. Had she met some interesting new stockbroker, and was switching her account to his firm?

  ***

  Over the next couple of weeks, Martha slowly improved. Her speech patterns returned to normal, but she was still very weak and needed a walker even to get to the bathroom, a few steps from her bed.

  Laurie drove in to see her almost every day, and spent time helping her gain strength by walking up and down the hospital hallway. Soon she was moved to another part of the hospital.

  At breakfast one morning Laurie told Jass, “My cast comes off today. Dr. Henry said I’ll get a brace to wear for a couple more weeks.”

  “That’s nice.”

  She frowned at him, but he was reading his paper and she doubted he’d seen her reaction. Was he even listening to her? Irritation in her voice, she said, “Yes, it will be nice, Jass. Especially since I will be able to take it off to shower and put on my clothes.”

  He lowered his paper and met her gaze. “Do you want me to go with you for the appointment?”

  She gaped at him, not expecting that response. “Why? I’ve been driving into town to see Aunt Martha anyway. It’s right next door.”

  It was Jass’ turn to look surprised. “I don’t know. You always asked me to before.”

  LaRae had? Whatever for? “I’ll be fine,” she said firmly. Jass might as well get used to her doing things for herself. She couldn’t stand being treated like a child.

  Agnes brought in the mail, and handed it to Jass.

  He sorted through it, laying the bills to one side. “Put those on my desk for now, will you, LaRae? I’ll go through them tonight if I get a chance.”

  Laurie reached for them, saying, “Why don’t you let me write the checks for these and mail them, Jass? I have more time than you do.”

  He stared at her. “Sure, if you want to. Is there enough money left in your household account?”

  “Yes, of course. I haven’t been anywhere to spend any money except lunches at the hospital for Susie and me.”

  He stood and reached for his briefcase. Leaning over her for a quick kiss good-bye, he said, “Good. I’ll see you tonight, then. Let’s go, Susie.”

  LaRae watched them leave, then opened the Tribune. A large ad for Mother’s Day gifts brought tears to her eyes. It reminded her that her own mother was dead and Aunt Martha, the closest substitute for a mother in her life, was very old and ill. After her doctor’s appointment, she’d stop at the greenhouse and buy Martha another bouquet of flowers.

  When LaRae awoke Sunday morning, she could smell coffee and pancakes. As usual, Jass was up early, fixing breakfast.

  She hurried through her toilet and went to the kitchen.

  A large bouquet of red roses adorned the breakfast table.

  Jass grinned at her surprise, then turned back to flip the pancakes on the griddle.

  Susie jumped up and down and handed her the card. “Read it, Mommy. I helped pick these out.” She handed her the card, and pushed a prettily wrapped package toward her as well.

  The card read, “Happy Mother’s Day.” With shaking fingers, she opened the package, trying to smile at Susie through her tears. She pulled back the soft tissue paper. A lovely white silk blouse nestled inside. “It’s beautiful, Susie, Jass. Thank you.”

  She swallowed, trying to contain her tears. They were so sweet. She didn’t deserve it. Why should they celebrate her being a mother when she wasn’t? She was only Susie’s aunt.

  She lost the battle to hold back the tears. Getting up quickly, she ran for her bedroom. She closed the door and threw herself face down on her bed. Burying her head in her pillow, she tried to muffle her sobs.

  Jass walked in and sat on the edge of her bed turning her to face him. “LaRae? What’s wrong?” She looked up and he reached out to stroke her cheek. He pulled a tissue from the box on her bed-side table and wiped away her tears.

  More tears rolled down. “Nothing, I’m f...fine.”

  “Honey? Come on, now, don’t cry. You know I hate it when you cry. Didn’t you like the roses? Red roses are your favorite, aren’t they? Is it the blouse?”

  She shook her head. “They’re both lovely, Jass. Please, go feed Susie and eat your breakfast. I’ll be out in a minute.”

  His voice held a stubborn edge. “Not until you tell me what’s the matter.”

  Laurie sighed and caught her breath, swallowing her sobs. He wasn’t going to leave her alone. “I...I just had to have a cry. You know, Mother’s Day and all that.” She sniffed. He handed her more tissues and she blew her nose. “I guess it just hit me that my mother and...and sister are gone, and Aunt Martha is so weak.”

  “Of course. I see,” he said, and put his arms around her to give her a hug.

  “I’m sorry. I’ll be all right in a minute. Go out to Susie.”

  “Come have some breakfast and you’ll feel better,” he urged. He got off the bed and went to the door, then turned back to ask, “Coming?”

  She smiled encouragingly. “In a minute.”

  He left.

  She got up and splashed her face with cold water. As she dried it, she remembered Jass had said his mother, Nora, lived in Minneapolis and wintered in an apartment in Arizona. Had Jass remembered her? Or, like many wives, had that been up to her? Had she goofed again by not sending LaRae’s mother-in-law flowers or calling her to wish her a ‘Happy Mother’s Day?’

  Laurie put on a cheerful face and went back to the kitchen. Susie and Jass were finished eating, but Jass had put a plate of pancakes in the oven for her.

  Susie, evidently not knowing what to think of her mother’s outburst of tears, eyed her warily. Then she turned her attention back to the Sunday comics.

  Laurie managed to get a couple of the fluffy cakes down. “Delicious, as usual, Jass,” she said, in an attempt at normal conversation. He smiled warily.

  She drank her coffee, then asked, “Did you remember to send your mother something, Jass?”

  He stared at her, then said, “Yes, Honey, I did. We have a standing order for her at the greenhouse, remember?”

  “Oh. We do?” She bit her lip and attempted a smile. “Sorry, Jass. Another thing that I...guess I forgot.”

  “We always take her out for dinner on Mother’s Day. I called her earlier and made reservations as usual for five o’clock. If we leave here about three forty-five, we’ll have plenty of time to pick her up. Does that sound okay?”

  Laurie gasped in dismay, but tried to keep her expression neutral. Of course, she’d known she’d have to meet Jass’ mother sooner or later. She was lucky to have a
voided her this long.

  She wondered how LaRae and Nora had gotten along. Had they been the proverbial enemies of sit-com mother-in-law jokes? Or had they liked each other?

  Laurie dared not ask, nor dared she ask where they were going since he’d said, ’as usual.’ She was supposed to already know where they were going. Damn, but she was tired of playing this game!

  In as calm a voice as she could muster, she said, “Oh, sure. Whatever you think. Will Diane be back in time to stay with Susie?”

  “No, I don’t think so. I thought we’d take her with us. Mom hasn’t seen Susie for months, and Susie would love to see her, too.”

  “I’m sure.”

  Had Susie been out to eat at a fancy restaurant before? Would she know how to act?

  More important, Laurie thought, will I act like a proper mother if she doesn’t behave?

  Chapter 12

  Susie hopped excitedly from foot to foot as Laurie helped her dress for their dinner out. “Can I wear my new Easter dress, Mommy?”

  Her Easter dress? Laurie looked at the row of outfits in Susie’s closet. Although she usually wore slacks and blouses or T-shirts to school, she wore dresses to church and Sunday school. So there were several that might have been the special one. “I was still in the hospital at Easter, Sweetheart. Which one was your Easter dress?”

  “This one.” Susie pulled out a royal blue dress with a white lace collar. “Daddy and Aunt Martha helped me buy it. Isn’t it pretty?”

  It was. A bit old-fashioned in style, but it was charming and the color went well with Susie’s blonde hair. “It's lovely. It’ll be fine. In you go.”

  With pride in her voice, Susie confided, “The store lady said the blue color matches my eyes.”

  “That it does.”

  Susie raised her arms and Laurie helped her slip it over her head. “Grandma hasn’t seen it yet, either. Do you think she’ll like it?”

  Laurie pursed her lips. She’d better. I won’t have my little girl hurt. “Of course, she will.”

  Susie turned her back so Laurie could close the button at the back of her neck.

  “Wear your white tights and slippers, Sweetheart. We have to hurry, now. We don’t want to keep Grandma waiting, and it’s a long drive before we pick her up.”

  Listening to Susie’s chatter all the way into town made the hour’s drive seem short to Laurie. She tried to hide her nervousness at meeting Nora. She remembered seeing pictures of Jass’ mother in LaRae’s wedding album. She recalled a tall, slender woman with graying dark brown hair and a wide mouth.

  A thought occurred to her, and she wondered what LaRae had called Jass’ mother. Please, not Mom or Mother. I can’t bear to call her that.

  She wondered if Nora would like her, but she could only do her best to be polite. She wondered if Jass knew LaRae had referred to Nora as a witch in her letters to Laurie. Had she also complained about Nora to Jass? Had they quarreled openly? If so, why? What had gone wrong between LaRae and her mother-in-law?

  Staring out the car window at the passing landscape, Laurie wondered how she was supposed to act. She’d have to play it by ear, one note at a time.

  Susie had sounded as though her grandmother were nice, so Laurie pushed away her doubts. She couldn’t believe a woman who inspired such love in a little girl could be all that bad. She’d deal with each incident as it appeared and hope for the best. That was all she could do now. She’d hope Nora would let the past remain in the past, as well. Life was too short to worry about or try to settle LaRae’s old quarrels.

  Jass pulled up in front of his mother’s new brick condominium and parked. He glanced at LaRae. She seemed a bit nervous as she usually was when she was around his mother. Why couldn’t the two women he loved most in the world get along?

  Luckily, his mother demanded little time from LaRae, preferring to have lunch with him occasionally when he was in town. The two women had spent little time together. “Try to get along with Mom for a change, eh, LaRae?”

  She looked at him indignantly. “Of course.”

  “I’ll see if she’s ready.”

  “Should we come with you?”

  “No need to, I’m sure she’s waiting in the front lounge. We’ll be right back.” Jass walked through the glass doors into the building.

  When he returned with his mother, LaRae was sitting in the back with Susie. Nora seemed pleased to sit in front with him and greeted LaRae with warmth. She answered pleasantly enough and they proceeded to the restaurant without acrimony.

  “What a lovely dress, Susie,” Nora said, turning around to smile at her granddaughter.

  Jass glanced in the rear-view mirror to see both his wife and daughter wore pleased smiles in return. Well, they were off to a good start today.

  “Thank you, Grandma. Daddy and my Aunt Martha helped me buy it for Easter.”

  “That was nice.”

  Susie cheerfully told Nora all about her shopping trip to the department store. Jass noted LaRae seemed as interested in Susie’s tale of adventures in the mall as Nora was. But then, anything that had to do with shopping interested LaRae.

  The restaurant was a large one, and already crowded in spite of the early hour. As soon as they got inside, Susie began to fuss to go to the bathroom.

  “Hush, Sweetheart. I’ll take you as soon as we're seated at a table,” LaRae said. They were given a table, and after asking directions from the hostess, LaRae disappeared with Susie to the restrooms in the rear.

  Jass grinned at his mother. “Sorry. It’s a long drive for a five year old, you know.”

  “Of course. I’m glad we have a minute alone. Does LaRae seem all right to you?”

  Immediately cautious, he asked, “What do you mean?” He poured coffee for them from the pot the waitress had placed on the table.

  “All right after the accident, I mean.” She smoothed back a stray lock of graying hair. “There was no lasting damage from her injuries?”

  “No, Mom, she’s fine. She has some memory loss, but her arm is healing nicely and you can barely notice the scar from the cut on her cheek.”

  A tentative smile spread across Nora’s lined face. She reached out a hand to touch him. “Good. I’ve been so worried, Jass.”

  LaRae and Susie returned and dinner continued in a pleasant tone. The service was good and the food delicious. Susie was on her best behavior.

  Once Jass held his breath when his mother questioned LaRae. “I tried calling a couple of times this week, but only got the housekeeper,” Nora said in an irritated tone of voice.

  “I’m sorry. I’ve been very busy with Aunt Martha. Jass promised to return your call. He did, didn’t he?” She looked at him for support.

  Jass smiled at Nora. “Of course I did.” His mother’s questions seemed it bit abrupt, but LaRae had answered smoothly enough. “We talked several times this week. You remember that I told you about Martha’s stroke, Mother.”

  LaRae added, “I'm sorry. I really should have called you, too. Did you have a good winter in Arizona?”

  Nora seemed pleased at her apology, and immediately began telling them all about the retirement village where she spent her winters. Even Susie was entertained by her stories about the neighbor’s pets and the eccentric little lady next door who kept the neighborhood entertained.

  ***

  Jass thought LaRae watched Susie a little too carefully, but otherwise the dinner went smoothly. Susie insisted on chocolate ice-cream, which Nora indulgently helped her finish when Susie said she was too full.

  Jass held his breath when Susie began telling Nora all about the kindergarten graduation ceremony coming up in just two weeks. LaRae never liked having Nora come to that sort of thing, since it would mean having Nora stay overnight at their house. But now, LaRae just smiled and said, “Of course you must come. It will be an important day for Susie, you know.”

  Nora raised her eyebrows, then hedged, “Oh, but you know I don’t drive anymore.”

  “It�
��s on a Friday night. Jass can pick you up after work, then drive you back whenever you want on Saturday or Sunday.”

  Jass almost choked. On Sunday? How will I keep the two of them from each other’s throats for two days?

  Nora’s face lit up. “Thanks for inviting me, LaRae. I’d love to come,” she said, “but I must be back for my bridge club at two on Saturday. Could you get me home in time, Jass?”

  He gave a sigh of relief and nodded. A few hours he could handle. “No problem, Mom.”

  LaRae looked pleased. “Then it’s all settled.”

  Susie clapped her hands. “Oh, goody. You can sleep in the spare bedroom across the hall from me, Grandma.”

  They drove Nora home, and Jass walked his mother to her door. “Thanks for a pleasant evening, Mom. I’ll call you soon.”

  Giving him a hug, she said, “Thank you for a lovely dinner, Jass. I’m looking forward to Susie’s big day. Goodnight.”

  LaRae moved back to the front seat, allowing Susie to lie down in the back. Susie fell asleep long before they arrived home.

  Jass looked at LaRae when they paused at a stoplight. “Thanks for going out of your way to be nice to Mom tonight, Honey.”

  She turned wide eyes to him, her brows dipping in a puzzled frown. “Going out of my way?”

  “You know, letting her sit up in front with me. She hates sitting in the back seat. Apologizing for not returning her call, too, even though I’d agreed to do it.”

  “But...”

  The light changed and he took the entrance to the freeway, keeping an eye on the traffic. He tossed her a smile, then turned back to watch the road. “And inviting her to Susie’s graduation. I really appreciate your efforts to get along with her.”