Lacy's Lane

by Patricia Strefling

  “You’ve got hay stuck in your hair.”

  Her hands went up, found hay sticks and pulled them out. “Guess I’d better get back to work.” She turned and hoped he didn’t see her face color. Again.

  “Al around? Gannon sent me her picture awhile back. She sure grew up pretty. She was Queen at County Fair?”

  “Still is, matter of fact. She turns the crown over in a couple weeks. Well, I have to go. Enjoy your visit.”

  He winked at her and slowly pulled away.

  She turned and stomped in the opposite direction. Darn it, Lacy, why can’t you keep your mouth shut. She wished she hadn’t acted so childish. Maybe Al is right. I need to get a life. She picked up her pace, forcing herself not to turn around and watch him go down the lane.

  He still had the power to get to her.

  Chapter 5

  About the time she walked into the house, she heard Al’s car pull into the barely-standing shell of a garage. She put the chicken on to cook in a slow crock-pot and waited for the door to open.

  “Guess what Lace. I found a place. Just like that.” She snapped her fingers and snagged the handle of her purse on the door knob. I got the word out I was looking and before I could turn around I found the perfect place. I want you to come and see it.”

  “Now?”

  “Yes, now. What’ve you got planned today?”

  “Well, I…oh before I forget Thad’s in town. I just passed him on the lane. He took the stuff from the garden and I came back here.”

  “Just now?”

  “Yep.”

  “I must have just missed him.”

  “You did, by a New York minute.” Lacy smiled, glad they were talking. “If you give me a few minutes I’ll shower and we can go see your apartment.”

  “You mean that?”

  Lacy stopped to look at her sister.

  “It’s just that you hardly ever have time for….”

  “You?”

  Allison shrugged.

  “I’m sorry, Al. Guess I’ve been too busy.”

  “Yep.”

  Al waved her off with a smile, but Lacy knew her sister was hurt.

  Once she’d peeled off her dusty duds, she looked in the mirror. Her dark hair was bushy from the damp rain and hay sticks were all over the place. No wonder Thad had given her a look. She’d been a mess. She stepped into the shower and let hot tears mix with the water sluicing over her head. She hadn’t had a free day since their parents died. Not really. First they were gone, then Sally Jean had passed the next year, leaving Gannon alone.

  Somehow she’d gotten lost in all of it. By the time she shut off the water, she’d been in long enough for the water to go ice cold in the shower. It had been a relief to let it all out.

  She toweled off and finger-combed her hair. When was the last time she’d gone into town and had Jacklyn give her hair a good cut. Obviously too long. It was long and straggly. She made a mental note to call tomorrow…maybe today. She didn’t know how long Thad would be here.

  The feeling of freedom rushed in. She was free to leave the farm for the day. The green beans in her garden would just have to wait.

  She slid wire hangers across the pipe bar in her closet looking for something nice to wear. It was going to be warm. She chose a pair of knee length soft aqua colored cotton pants and a white short sleeved cotton shirt. And pulled out her strappy flats. She had to dig in her shoe collection to find them.

  After blow-drying her hair, she swung it up and pinned it into a twist in back. Old-fashioned maybe, but her hair would be off her shoulders. It was too hot and humid today. She came down the stairs still fumbling with the buttons on her shirt.

  “Well, don’t you look cool?”

  Lacy caught her sister’s eye. “About this morning….”

  “Don’t apologize, Lace. I should have asked your permission to print more copies of your book. I was so excited after I read it that I wanted everyone to read it. I shouldn’t have let them take that picture of me for the paper. As the reigning Queen they made that the issue and I couldn’t say no. They needed to sell papers.” She shrugged. “And…I thought people needed to read your book.”

  “I know. You’re right. I just wasn’t ready to see it in public, that’s all. It’s not that good. I didn’t even have anyone edit the manuscript.”

  “Really? It read well enough to me. I didn’t notice anything weird. I loved the story.”

  “Well, it needed a good going over.”

  “You’re right. It wasn’t my place. I’ll not speak of the book to another soul if you tell me not to.”

  “People will forget about it anyway.” Lacy hoped.

  “Don’t count on it.” Allison said quietly.

  “What exactly do you mean?” Lacy felt her blood pressure rise. “You didn’t…”

  “No. I’m just saying once people read it, it’s going to get talked about that’s all. It’s a good story Lace.”

  “Oh okay. Well let’s not let it ruin our day. I’m so glad to be free. Do you want to go down to Bob’s farm and get more chickens?” Lacy said sweetly.

  “No…we are not going shopping for the farm! Come on, you’re going with me today. No questions. No suggestions. Clear?”

  Al’s blue eyes were staring into hers, hands on hips. Yep she meant business.

  “All right. You’re in charge. Fact is I’m tired of being in charge.”

  “Well it’s about time. Let’s get going. We’re burning daylight, sister.” Allison motioned for her to follow.

  Lacy sat in the passenger seat and let her little sister do the driving.

  “Remember no questions. No suggestions. Agreed?”

  “Agreed.”

  Lacy put her head back against the headrest. She could feel herself float away.

  “Lacy…we’re here.”

  “What? Did I fall asleep?”

  “Yep. Come on, let’s get you woke up. You can go to bed early tonight. Right now we’re going to do some shopping.”

  “I hate shopping.”

  Allison gave her a look.

  “Right. Shopping.”

  Lacy followed her sister. “McMullen’s. Never been in there before.”

  “What? This is the best store in town. It’s been open for five years for heaven’s sake, Lace.” Al pulled on the door and led the way.

  An hour later, not only did Al have a new pair of jeans and a shirt to go with them but Lacy had some new clothes, too. Except hers were a nice pencil skirt, black, and a white lace blouse.

  “You need one good outfit you can wear out. I’ve seen you in nothing but jeans and oversized t-shirts. Mom’s to be exact. And those t-shirts have to be thirty years old.”

  “So. They’re comfortable.”

  “Right. Like you need a shirt two sizes too large to feel comfortable?” The girls were at it. Just like old times. Lacy rather liked it.

  Chapter 6

  “Now let’s put these packages in the trunk. We’re going to lunch in Benson.”

  “Benson. All that way? It’s twenty-six miles. One way.” Lacy thought about the crockpot of chicken at home but pressed her lips together.

  “We have all day. I want to take you to eat at an Amish restaurant. They have the best food and we can walk around the flea market.”

  “That sounds like fun. I could use a few old pieces in the living room. I love the lived-in look.” Lacy tried to be agreeable.

  Al turned to her sister and laughed out loud. “The whole house is antique. You could sell stuff in there at the flea market and make a bundle. Dad’s old pitchfork, for instance. People are really into retro these days.”

  “Retro?”

  “Don’t you watch television? HGTV. Design shows, anything?”

  “No. When do I have the time?”

  “My point exactly, Lace. We’re getting two movies tonight. You pick one, I pick one and we’re going to watch them back-to-back.

  “Aren’t we going to see your apartment?”
r />   “Of course. That’s what I’m talking about. I put money down and I have the key.”

  Lacy’s heart skipped a beat. “You actually rented the place?”

  “Now don’t you put a kink in my day. I’ve been eyeing this one for weeks. This is my very first time living away from home and I’m twenty-one! I think it’s about time I was out on my own. Then…only if you want to…you can sell the farm. Get a smaller place.”

  “I can never sell the farm, Al. You must know that.”

  Her sister shrugged again. Her favorite habit. And smiled.

  That girl was up to something.

  * * *

  Three hours later their stomachs were stuffed and so was Al’s small car trunk and back seat.

  “I just couldn’t resist that quirky little rocking horse for my living room. And oh that side table is just the perfect size for a bedside table. I can’t wait to show you the place. We’re almost there.” Al announced as she turned into a gated drive.

  “Wow. This place? How can you afford it?” Lacy was leaning forward looking out the window.

  They were stepping out of the car into the newest and most talked about area of town. The west side.

  “Where all the ‘richies’ go.” They said at the same time, laughing.

  “In case you haven’t noticed, I love my job at the ad agency. Pay is great. People are great. And they like my work. I’ve gotten two raises this year…and a bonus check for every job I pull in that makes over $50,000.

  “I guess you have grown up and I haven’t noticed, huh?”

  “To say the least, big sister. Come on inside and have a look. We’ll bring the stuff up from the car in a little while. I want you to see it as it came furnished. We can talk about adding our own decorating ideas.”

  “Oh good heavens I don’t know the first thing about decorating.” Lacy shot back.

  “Well, come and tell me what you think.”

  Lacy stepped inside to a modern, elegant space full of light and huge windows. “This is not an apartment…it’s a condo.”

  “It is.”

  “You bought a condo, Al?”

  “I did, Lace. Do you like it?”

  “Of course. Who wouldn’t.” Lacy could not take her eyes off the cream colored walls throughout, the huge kitchen with black granite countertops and cream cupboards; the backsplash a simple geometric pattern in gray marble.

  “It’s furnished beautifully, but I wanted to add my own touches. Wait until you see the master bedroom.”

  Lacy’s breath left her. “A canopy bed. Just like at home.”

  “Well not exactly. This one is imported from France. Ours we’ve had forever. It was just like mom’s bed when she was a girl, remember the pictures?”

  Lacy had forgotten.

  Properly impressed Lacy followed Al to the car and they brought up the furniture pieces.

  “They fit perfectly in here, Al.”

  “I think I wouldn’t mind opening my own design studio some day. I decorated a friend’s apartment. She paid me well, which helped me buy this, she waved her arms in a half circle. I really enjoyed doing it. And my friend loved it.”

  “I didn’t even know.” Lacy whispered, tears forming. “I should have known. Should have been looking for your skills so you could do what you were made to do.”

  Allison took her sister by the shoulders. “It was not your responsibility to raise me. I found my way. Mom always told us we could be anything we wanted to be.”

  “You believed her. I don’t think I ever did.” Lacy heard the words come out of her mouth.

  Allison’s eyes filled with tears. “You are right. You’ve never believed in yourself, Lace. I could see it.”

  “You could?” Lacy looked into Al’s eyes.

  “You are the only one who doesn’t see your value, sis.”

  Lacy smiled through tears and patted her sister’s arm. “Come on. Let’s not be sad. There’s still time to change, right?” She heard her voice waver.

  “Right.” Allison turned the lights off and locked the door.

  “We’re going for movies and coming back here.”

  “Aren’t we taking them home?”

  “Yes we are. My home. You’re spending the night. With me.”

  “No, I can’t. I have to get breakfast for…and the crockpot is on!”

  “I unplugged it before we left and put it in the fridge!”

  Lacy stared at her sister. She had planned this.

  “Thad will get breakfast. Remember? You’re free. And for once in your life you’re going to act like it. I’m going to buy us a matching pair of pajamas and we’re spending the night watching movies. And making some of our own memories!”

  Lacy’s heart did a flip-flop. The whole idea sounded rather exciting.

  Their matching pajamas on, Orville Reddenbacher popcorn in a bag, and movies in hand, the evening began at around 10 pm. “Let’s watch Gone With The Wind first.”

  “It’s your place. You choose.” Lacy settled on the brand new brown suede sofa and looked at the huge screen in the cozy new condo and munched on her microwave popcorn.

  “I just love Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh.” Allison smiled at her sister’s words.

  Chapter 7

  “Let’s go to church today. Between our schedules we haven’t been in a long time.” Allison pleaded with her sister. “Gannon will be fine. Give the two of them time to bond. Might solve a lot of problems.”

  “Right, Lacy reminded herself, stretching lazily. They’d gone to bed late after Gone With the Wind…because it was three hours long. “We’ll watch Pride and Prejudice tonight. It’s even longer.” Allison teased her sister.

  “Tonight? I thought we’d be going home after church.”

  “Nope. No questions, no suggestions, remember?”

  Lacy was wondering how long her little sister could hold this over her head. “Okay. But just one more night. My beans are going to be too tough to even bother with.”

  “Beans more important than us?” Allison shot back, knowing her sister could not answer that in the negative.

  “Right.” Lacy gave her that. “Especially when you say it that way.”

  “Wear your new skirt and blouse…and I’ll wear my new jeans.”

  Lacy turned to stare at her sister. Their church was a tiny white clapboard building that had the numbers Est. 1889 over the front stoop. I could wear these pajamas and no one would notice, but a classy black skirt and lacy blouse…I don’t think so, Al.”

  “What? You mean you think you’d be outshining all the other parishioners?”

  “No…it’s just that…”

  “Stop right there, sis. I want to see you in the skirt okay. I have a feeling it’ll go into your closet and never come out again. Just this once?”

  Lacy never could tell her sister no. Especially when she hardly ever asked anything of her.

  An hour after breakfast at a local restaurant, they came back and dressed for church. Lacy in her skirt which she kept yanking down over her knees and Allison in her new jeans and pretty shirt.

  “Now we look the pair.” Lacy laughed.

  “Come on. Let’s go. Nobody cares how we’re dressed. At least they’re not supposed to.” Allison laughed. “Grab my key and lock up will you? I’m going to haul this table back to the car and exchange it for the larger one next week.”

  Deed done, they were headed back to the church located halfway between Marston, Michigan and their farm. When they pulled into the parking lot, Lacy gasped.

  “What?” Al glanced sideways.

  “He’s here.”

  “Who?”

  “Thad. He must have brought Gannon.”

  “Good. About time Thad did something for his grandfather.”

  “Come on, let’s go in.” Allison got out and waited. “What’re you waiting for?”

  “Pulling down this skirt. It’s too short.”

  “It’s over your knees, for heaven’s sake Lace. You look beaut
iful. We should do your hair like that more often, too. It looks good swept up.”

  Allison noted her sister heard none of it.

  “Come on we’ll be late. You are going in, Lace.”

  Lacy shored up her shoulders and followed Allison inside. Thankfully her sister chose to sit near the back. She scooted into a pew. And immediately saw Gannon and Thad near the front. Gannon could not hear well. She was glad Thad was sensitive to that. Gannon had not been to church in a long time.

  When the service was over, people were flocking to Allison, talking about the recent photo in the newspaper, the book, how her crown would be turned over soon. Lacy smiled and talked to several people, one of them asking if she’d read the new book down at the library.

  “Yes, I have.” She stumbled over the words.

  “Did you like it?”

  “Well, yes I did.” Lacy admitted, glad when someone came and interrupted their conversation. This was getting way too crazy. She didn’t want to lie, but it was really close to avoiding the truth by omission.

  Working at the farm never put her in circumstances like the ones she’d had in the last two days. No wonder she felt safe there. She didn’t have to be making all these fine-line decisions, whether or not to wear a skirt that she thought was a little too short, whether to buy or rent, decorate new or furnish with garage sale stuff. Her life was set in stone and she wondered if she’d actually gotten too comfortable in it.

  She felt someone touch her arm.

  “Minnie. Oh my goodness, you’ve grown up.”

  “Yes, I have. I’m twelve now, almost thirteen.”

  Lacy pulled her into a hug.

  “I’ve missed you Miss Lacy. You don’t come to church as often.”

  “I know. It’s true…since I’ve taken over the farm, I … well, I need to come more often don’t I?”

  “Yes, you do. I still remember when you were my teacher.”

  “I remember, too Minnie.”

  Someone called Minnie away. Lacy watched her go. She hadn’t seen her for more than three years.

  Determined to make the effort to get to church more often, she felt another tap on her arm.

  “Gannon. How nice to see you today.”