Chapter 30,
in which Maggie finally gets to see Rachel and her family and receives more startling news
Maggie awoke with a start!
“What time is it?”
No one answered. She looked at the clock. It was eleven.
After a quick dash to the bathroom, she threw on her clothes, packed the laptop and grabbed her things. She dashed out the door and into the car without even so much as a doughnut. There was a sudden urgency to get to Rachel's which she could not explain.
The hour to her house crept by, even with the distraction of the music. She couldn't remember the lyrics to these songs. Something was wrong. She just knew it. She tried to reach Rachel at her house and on her cell. Nothing. What was going on?
She pulled into the driveway and ran to the door.
Brian answered.
“Grandma! Sophie, mom, dad, grandma's here!”
They all scrambled to the door and ushered her in.
Everything seemed to be alright. They looked happy and healthy.
“Mom, what on earth has brought you here?”
“I just felt like a visit and didn't want you going to a bunch of bother getting ready for me. Have you talked to Rhiannon lately?”
“Yes, just yesterday. Did you see her? She didn't say anything?”
“Yes, and bless her for keeping her mouth shut. I know you two are thick as thieves. I can't believe she didn't tell you.”
“Come in, mother Austen. Let me take your things.”
Rachel's husband, Sean, was as thoughtful as the day was long. He was just as laid back as Rachel herself. They were so perfectly matched.
“Grandma,” Sophie cried out. “Read me a book?”
“I can't think of anything I'd rather do! Go and get your favorite.”
Sophie scrambled off to look for a book and the other three just sat and stared.
“I can't believe you're sitting in my living room, mom. Is everything OK?”
“Oh, sure, honey, just felt like seeing everyone. We'll talk later.”
This was her way of disclosing that something needed to be discussed without alarming Brian or Sophie.
“Wow, have you had lunch?”
“I haven't even had breakfast!”
“Well, we were just about to have something to eat. Come in the kitchen and sit while I throw it together.”
“Great.”
Maggie sat and read to Sophie while she watched Rachel work her magic in the kitchen. She was a very resourceful woman and that had really helped their family to arrive at the station in life that they were at—young homeowners with children—without Rachel having to work outside the home.
Everyone gathered at the table and asked a blessing on the food and devoured the beautiful salad Rachel had prepared. She dished out ice cream and they all sat around and caught up on the kids' school adventures and other day to day stuff.
Finally, Rachel told the kids to go and work on their bedrooms so that she and her mother could have a chat.
They obliged and as soon as they were gone, Rachel could contain herself no longer.
“OK, mom, out with it. What's going on? Are you getting married again? Is there some guy waiting out in your car?”
“Oh, my word! You guys are unbelievable! I've only been married twice and you knew about both of them well in advance. I'm beginning to tire of this record and I'm about to put a big old scratch in it and make it unplayable!”
“I'm sorry. It's just not really characteristic of you, gypsy though you are, to just pop in like this. So tell me, is there something going on that I should know about?”
“Yes. I've got cancer. Lung cancer. I just wanted to see you kids before I began treatments. There you have it.”
Rachel sat with her mouth gaping open and when Maggie turned to look at Sean, he had the same look.
“Oh, mom, I'm so sorry. How in the world did you, of all people, get lung cancer?”
“I know. Bizarre, huh?”
“Aren't you scared?”
“Of what?”
“I don't know . . . dying?”
“Rachel, I'm fine. Really. At first I was kind of fretful. As a matter of fact, I was initially vehemently against treatment, but the doctor talked me into it.”
“Well, that's kind of selfish, isn't it?”
“I don't follow.”
“Selfish to think only of yourself and not of the family that would miss you if you were gone.”
“Yes, selfish, that's me in a nutshell.”
“You know what I mean. Maybe we could have all gotten together and talked about this. I'm just glad you came to your senses.”
At this moment, Maggie wasn't sure she was glad about it. She had to be patient and wait for Rachel to realize what she was saying. And then it hit.
“Oh, geez, mom, I don't know what I'm saying. This is just a lot to handle all at once. How did Rhiannon take it? Have you talked to any of the other kids yet?”
“Not yet. It's fine. I know this is a shock. It's something that takes time to process through. Believe me. I've been processing and bargaining and formulating and all of that. But this is it. I am going to see each one of you and your families and then get back and begin treatments and believe me when I say, it's going to be fine, either way. No matter what. I'm good.”
“I believe you. You are so calm. That's so unlike you. You've always been a little on the high-strung side. But you seem to have it all worked out.”
“I do.”
“You know you can come here, don't you? They have some fine doctors here in Alexandria. Some of the finest in the country. And Sean is so well connected. I hope you'll consider it.”
“Rhiannon told me the same thing. I appreciate it more than I can tell you. But I have things all worked out and arranged and scheduled. It will be fine.”
“Do you have anyone right now, mom? Are you seeing anybody? You know . . . dating?”
“One thing at a time, Rachel.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that right now my focus is on my health, which is precarious at best.”
“Have you had any trouble?”
“There have been some episodes which are troublesome. You know, just kind of collapsing. But I'm no worse for it. A couple of days in the hospital here and there and I'm good as new.”
“Are you serious? You've been hospitalized? Why on earth are you behind the wheel?”
“I'm fine now. I have the doctor's endorsement on this. I just have to try to remain unstressed, so help me out with that, will you, Rachel?”
“Fine, I'll do my best.”
“Thank you. Now, I have to figure out why I was so worried this morning. I jumped out of bed in a panic over you guys. I have no idea why, since you all seem to be doing fine.”
“Well . . . “
“What is it?”
“I don't know how to tell you.”
“Tell me the same way you told me you didn't like strained carrots. Just spit it out.”
“Sean got a promotion.”
“Well, that's good news, no?”
“Yes, it is, but it comes with some other news. It means a transfer.”
“To?”
“Um, well, actually, the South Africa office.”
“What?”
“Yea, we leave in six weeks. I actually can't believe the kids made it through lunch without telling you. They must be distracted.”
“Oh, my word, Rachel, you guys can't just up and move that far away!”
“Well, I was very excited about it until now.”
“Wait a minute! Why did you invite me to stay here if you were going away?”
“We're not selling the house. This is a temporary assignment. Only a year. We couldn't pass it up—thought it would be a terrific opportunity for the kids. Then back here to head up the office in DC. Now I don't know. I don't feel like I can leave you and be that far away.”
“Look me in the eyes. I'm fine. It
will be fine. You can do this. I was thrown for a loop initially, but this is, as you said, a great opportunity. Don't miss it! You know you've always wanted to do something like this. Enjoy! And when you come back, stop in and visit. I'll be fine.”
“Is that a 'burnt toast martyr' kind of fine? Or an 'I have every confidence I'll get through this' kind of fine?”
“A little of both.”
“Fair enough. You get treatment. We'll go to South Africa. We'll see you after that.”
“Sounds great. I love you Rachel.”
“I love you, mom.”
Sean finally spoke. He was very respectful of Rachel's relationships with others and generally kept a low profile and let her handle her own life. It was something that Maggie had always admired about their marriage.
“So, what are your needs right now? What can we do to assist you?”
“Not a thing, but I won't hesitate to let you know if there is something I need.”
“So what's next, Mother Austen?”
“Well, I'm going to spend another day here and then head to Tennessee to see Richard and his family and then on to Indiana to see Roxanne at school. And you're not allowed to talk to either one of them. You can commiserate with Rhiannon, but only her. Got it?”
“Yes, ma'am. Sounds like you have everything planned out. I'm going to go and check on the hooligans and then I think we'll all go out this evening for pizza. How does that sound?”
“Sounds great!”
“I'll leave you two to it.”
Maggie and Rachel spent the next hour catching up and talking about Rhiannon's news of a new baby.
Maggie found time for a quick nap before the outing and then shared a lovely evening with the kids at one of those crazy pizza places that has the games and rides. She took lots of mental snapshots and by the time they headed home, was worn out and looking forward to a nice hot bath and a bed. Writing would have to wait until tomorrow.
When she crawled into bed, she called out 'good night' to Jacob.
“Good night, my love. Sweetest of dreams to you.”
She received another magical kiss on the forehead and had no problems whatsoever getting to sleep.
The rest of the visit was wonderful and Maggie spent every minute she could reading to Sophie and Brian. Though Brian though himself a little old to be read to, he enjoyed just spending time with her. They spent the last evening watching home videos, which thrilled Maggie to no end. She got to witness some of the things she had not seen due to the distance, but only read about in emails and letters.
When it was time for bed, everyone gathered in Maggie's room and had a pillow fight. There were very few survivors and Maggie might have felt bad about the mess that Rachel would have to clean up were it not for the fact that it was Rachel's idea in the first place. She did love to have fun, that girl.
Chapter 31,
in which Maggie gets to Richard and
his family just in time for a critical,
life-threatening event
The morning came too quickly and after breakfast, Maggie had Brian load her things into her car. She read one more book and gave everyone one more kiss and hug and then began the next leg of her journey with a heavy heart, knowing that in six weeks her daughter and her family would be on another continent very far away. Life was too precarious for such distance between loved ones, but she couldn't interrupt their plans for what might or might not be the end of the line for her.
This portion of her trip was short, so she had planned it out to actually arrive at dinner-time. She decided to invite Jacob on this segment.
“Glad you called me, girl.”
“Glad you were free to come along.”
The spent the day talking about the marvelous children she had, in spite of her child-rearing blunders. They each had overcome so much in their lives and gone on to grow sweet families and have normal, healthy relationships. Jacob nodded and laughed and moaned in all the right places, something he was exceedingly good at.
The stopped for lunch at a park, where Maggie pulled out sandwiches and apples that Rachel had packed for her. After she ate, Maggie got on a swing and they pretended that Jacob was pushing her. She went higher than she usually did, a sign that she was fearing less and less and braving more and more in life.
The afternoon went slowly, with lots of anxiety about telling Richard about her illness. They had a strong bond, though they didn't chat as much as she and the girls did. They always seemed to know when to call one another.
Richard was married to a woman whose determination and drive were generally described by a word Maggie chose not to use. She was a force to be reckoned with, but she got things done. Richard was more laid back and just kind of got out of her way and was a wonderful father to their four children. He had three girls and a boy, just as Maggie herself had and he spent most of his time off from work playing in the yard with them. Being raised in Tennessee, the children had the most charming little drawl that Maggie could listen to all day.
When they pulled into the driveway, Richard was out shooting hoops with the four of them. He looked and then looked again and then threw the ball into the back yard and charged the car, his little stair steps following close behind.
“Mom? Is that you?”
“Hi, sweetie-pie! How are you?”
“What do you mean, how am I? I'm shocked. You just show up? What's going on? Are you getting married again?”
“Oh, my word! That's the last straw! I'm turning around and going right back home!”
“Grandma!” This was the unanimous cry of four grandchildren whose sincere plea caused Maggie to turn off the engine.
“I'm kidding! Grandma is staying, but she's not talking to your daddy for the entire stay!”
She turned to Richard. “Your sisters asked the same question and I'm sure your baby sister will echo the same. Enough already!”
“You know we love you, ma!”
“I know you do. So why don't you have my bags yet? You kids come over here and help me into the house.”
Richard did his wife the favor of running ahead with the bags to warn her of Maggie's sudden appearance.
When Maggie entered the house with the four little tumors attached, Sarah was there to greet her, apron on and barefoot.
“Mrs. Austen, how nice of you to visit.”
She gave her a hug, but there was definite tension there. Maggie was having second thoughts about making this visit unannounced. But she was here now and she would just roll with it.
“Sarah, I'm so glad you see you. The kids are getting so big!”
This started a sort of roll-call family update that Sarah was known for.
“Thank you, they are, aren't they. Rosie, here, is top of her second grade class and was selected to play a clarinet solo in the spring concert. She's also an amazing table-setter. Andie is doing very well in first grade and is a little more the reserved, artistic type, as you might notice on her bedroom wall. Abby is in kindergarten and has been line-leader three times already this year. She has lots of gold stars on her chart and seems to love numbers. Little Adam started preschool this year and has yet to utter a single word in his class, but he is a great grunter.”
“So was his father. Never said a word until he was four. Then it was volumes.”
“Well, he's clearly his daddy's boy and he keeps these girls in line, I'll say that for him.”
“Well, now that I've been updated, I guess I can start back home, huh?”
Again in unison, “Grandma, stop kidding us!”
Well, then, you'd better find me some place to sit down. They ushered her to their daddy's lounge chair and pushed her into seated position. Then they each went and grabbed their favorite book and brought it to her. There was no doubt in Maggie's mind that she had impressed upon them the importance of loving books.
She read and Richard hauled her things down to the basement where they had a sort of small living space. Sarah went back to making dinner, reliev
ed of little ones at her feet.
“Dinner,” she called out when the food was ready. Immediately, Rosie jumped up and set the table. Good job, Maggie thought. They are training the kids up right.
“Wow, this smells so good. Thanks for accepting me on no notice. I'm sorry I needed to do it this way.”
“Well, after dinner we'll get the kids bathed and in bed and then we can talk about what's up. You're not fooling anyone, mom.”
He did know her. Probably better than any man, aside from perhaps Jacob, had cared enough to know her.
When they were tucked in, Sarah went in to tidy the kitchen, giving Richard some time alone with his mother.
“So, ma, what's up?”
“I have cancer. I have lung cancer. Sorry to spring it on you like this, but I didn't know how else to do it. You kids would have known something if I'd called you first. It's better for all of us for me to tell you this way.”
Grimm's Last Fairy Tale Page 16