My Mother Grows Wallflowers
Page 24
“Yeah?” Em didn’t look up. She blew a bubble with forbidden gum she kept hidden under her bed.
“Winona’s going to be here in a few minutes to pick me up.”
“I know. You’re going to a late movie—and it’s R-rated and I’m thirteen, so I can’t go, blah, blah, blah…you already told me.”
“Actually we’re not. She’s taking me to the bus station.”
Emma’s head snapped up. “For what?”
“I’m going to Georgia. Sam and I are getting married there.”
Emma’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Wait a minute. I thought you guys were getting married here. I was going to be a bridesmaid.”
“And you can be, later on.”
“Okay, so when are you coming back?”
“Not for a while. Sam and I’ll be married, so we’ll live together there.”
“What? You’re not coming back here to live? You can’t do that. You can’t leave me here.” Emma’s voice was shrill and growing louder.
“Shh, Em. She’ll hear you.” Mina listened a moment for footsteps. Nothing. Thank goodness. “Look, after we’re settled in, maybe you can come and stay with us for a while. How’s that?”
“I want to go now; take me with you,” Emma pleaded, starting to cry. “You can’t leave me here.”
Mina winced at the desperation in her sister’s voice. “I can’t, Em. I’m sorry. You’re too young. I can’t take you without her permission.”
“I’m going anyway.” Emma’s voice more adamant now. “I’ll get some money out of Ma’s purse and go.” Collapsing on the bed, tears streamed down her face. She made no attempt to wipe them away.
“Don’t even think about it,” Mina warned. “Please stop crying. I’m sorry.” She moved over to the other bed and hugged her younger sister. “Shh, shh. Stop crying.” She stroked Emma’s hair. “I love you. We’ll figure something out.” She heard a car pull in the driveway. “I’ve gotta’ go, Em. Winona’s here.” Kissing her sister’s cheek, Mina straightened.
“You don’t love me, or you wouldn’t leave me behind,” Emma spat through her tears.
“I do,” Mina said softly, pulling the bedroom door closed behind her. Leaving the note to her parents on the kitchen table, she cut through the living room to the front door. “I’m going out with Winona.”
Both of her parents were watching television. Her mother had been giving her the silent treatment ever since their argument about Sam, so she didn’t respond. “Be careful,” was all her father said, but his knowing look and slight nod spoke volumes as Mina closed the door.
“Are you okay?” Winona asked, studying Mina’s face in the glare of the dome light as she reached over to turn down the radio.
Mina nodded. “I’m fine. We need to go.” The click of her seat belt echoed in the quiet car. Emma’s last words drummed in Mina’s head. How could she think I don’t love her?
Winona pulled out onto the road. “What happened?”
Mina sat silent for a few moments, trying to gather herself to speak without unleashing the clot of sobs lodged in her throat. “Em flipped out,” she finally managed, staring out the window. “She’s really upset.”
“Maybe we should’ve told her at our house.”
Mina, you’re such an idiot. “You’re right.” Mina shook her head. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
“Mina, it’s okay. You’ve had a lot on your mind. Nobody else thought of it either.”
Neither said anything for a few minutes.
“Do you want to go back and try to get her?”
Mina glanced at the small digital clock in the dashboard. “I don’t think there’s enough time. Besides, Ma’s probably found the note by now, if I go back…” she trailed off. Mina shied away from the thought of the scene that would play out if she did. “I can’t go back.”
“I understand,” Winona assured her. “I have to stop and put some gas in the car. It’ll just take a couple of minutes.” She pulled up to the pump and shut off the car, digging for her wallet in the oversize bag she carried everywhere.
“I’ve got this.” Mina pushed open the car door.
“You don’t have to do—”
“I’ve got it. I want to.” Mina cut the other girl off. “How much are you pumping?”
“Twenty.”
“Okay.” Mina headed toward the door of the all-night convenience store. “I’ll be right back.”
Five minutes later, she reappeared with two paper coffee cups and a small bag clasped between her teeth. Walking to Winona’s window, she handed her one of the cups before grabbing the bag with her newly freed hand. “Tea with three sugars, just the way you like it.”
Mina climbed into the passenger side of the car, pulled the plastic tab on her cup and took a cautious sip. Coffee, cream and no sugar. The first of many cups, I’m sure, before I get where I’m going. Reaching into the bag, Mina pulled out a snack size package of powdered donuts and a cellophane bag of Gummy Worms. “Here you go.”
“Food of the gods.” Winona grinned. “Thanks. Did you get yourself something for the ride?”
“Yeah. I’ve got some crackers, a package of peanuts and a bottle of water,” she said, closing the bag and dropping it into her old backpack resting on the floor near her feet. Mina blew on the hot liquid before taking another sip. Emma’s tear-streaked face popped into her mind. “Poor Em,” she said, barely above a whisper.
“You know, I was thinking about that while you were in the store. We’ll call first thing tomorrow morning and invite her over. If anyone can calm Emma down, it’s my little sister. I also thought since Sarah and Em still have a couple of weeks before school starts, I’d try to hook them up as much as I can.” Winona paused to take a sip of her tea. “Do you think I should call your mother and ask?”
Mina didn’t blame her friend for her hesitant tone, she had good reason. “No way.” She took another sip of coffee. “Go see my Dad at the garage. He’ll figure out a way to arrange it.”
Winona nodded. “I’m sure she’ll calm down in a couple of weeks.”
“Who? Ma or Em?” Mina tried to make a joke.
“Both. Don’t worry about it; we’ll take care of Em,” she reassured Mina, reaching over to give her a brief hug. “She’ll be fine. Okay?”
Mina didn’t answer.
“Okay?”
“Okay.” Mina gave her a shaky smile.
“That’s better. Now what about you?” Winona started the car and pulled away from the pumps. “Are you excited? I don’t know how you guys do it. I go nuts when Tom goes to one of those agriculture fairs with his father for the weekend.”
Mina shrugged. “We didn’t really have much choice.”
“Well, you do now,” Winona said with a grin, exposing white teeth.
Mina slipped her hand into her jeans pocket, pulled out the diamond ring she’d kept hidden under her mattress and slid it onto her finger.
“Do you know when you’re actually getting married?”
“I have no idea. I haven’t really thought any further than making it onto the bus,” Mina admitted. “I guess the first thing we have to do is find an apartment.”
“Your own place. I’m so jealous.”
My own place? With no clutter? The thought never occurred to Mina before, and now that it had, her mind raced. No more stacks of newspapers? Furniture not covered with Ma’s latest treasures from the dump? No closets stuffed with cardboard boxes and wrinkled paper bags? Mina was practically heady with the thought.
“I bet there are lots of second-hand stores down there. Look around first before you buy anything new.”
“I will,” Mina answered absently. A normal home like other people? Winona continued to talk, and Mina tried to concentrate, but her mind kept wandering. By the time they pulled into the bus station, Mina felt lighter than she had in a long time. It was all going to work out. Her dad and the Millers would watch out for Em. She was getting Sam, an education, and a home of her own—
all in one shot.
She gave Winona a hug and nearly floated up the steps of the bus. Settling into the first available seat near the front, Mina watched the car pull away before balling up her windbreaker to tuck between her head and the cold glass of the window, determined to make up for the sleep she’d lost over the last few nights. Mina couldn’t wait to see Sam now; they had so much to do. I should’ve opted for the plane ticket. Too late now. It’s only twenty-four hours. Twenty-four hours to Sam and the start of a better life. Mina drifted, lulled by the vibration of the idling engine. A better life for Em, too, was Mina’s last thought before surrendering to sleep, for the first time secure and in control of her future.
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C. L. Howland loves creating stories of everyday people caught up in the sometimes extraordinary business of living. When not plotting what challenges her characters will face next, C. L. enjoys life with her family in the Green Mountains of Vermont.
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www.clhowland.com
Flashing blue lights and a pink sandal in the middle of a rural Vermont road mark the end of a dream for Mina Mason as a tragic accident halts her elopement to Sam Miller. No one’s ever been allowed inside the Mason’s shabby house. That rule isn’t about to change, leaving Mina to care for her aging mother amid piles of hoarded possessions. With no respite in sight, Mina breaks her engagement to Sam. He deserves the normal life he’ll never find with her.
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Table of Contents
COPYRIGHT
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
AUTHOR’S NOTE
LEGACY OF A WALLFLOWER