by Lynne Hinton
“Oh, for heaven sakes, Maria,” Beatrice responded. “The Lord doesn’t need to forgive you anymore. I’m not going to say anything to anybody about who is staying at the shelter. I’ve already promised you that! Besides, the girl was the one who told me her name, not you.”
Maria sighed. She knew that Charlotte had to tell Carla not to answer the office phones and not to reveal her identity to anyone. “I will tell Charlotte that you called but I cannot interrupt the meeting,” she repeated.
Charlotte had been very clear that she was never to be pulled out of a meeting or conference or even conversation to take a call from Beatrice. The “emergency” Beatrice always used as an excuse never turned out to be one.
“Thank you, Beth.” Charlotte was coming down the hall. As she escorted the social worker out the back door, she passed the office.
“Okay, Beatrice, it’s your lucky day. She’s finished with the meeting. Hold, please.” Maria hit the hold button on the phone, glad not to have to argue with Charlotte’s friend any longer.
“Phone call, Charlotte,” Maria called out.
“Thanks,” Charlotte responded, and said good-bye to the visitor and headed back to the office. “It’s Beatrice,” Maria noted. Charlotte rolled her eyes and smiled.
“Hey Bea, what’s up?” She sat down at her desk, looking over her calendar and realizing that she had three other meetings scheduled for the day. She also noticed a red heart, which meant Donovan was going to stop by her house on his way home from work.
It was Thursday and they usually ate dinner together in front of the television on that particular weeknight. They liked to watch old movies.
“Are you finding her another place to live?” Beatrice asked.
Charlotte was confused. “What are you talking about?” she replied.
“The ex. Have you found her a new place to live?”
Charlotte relaxed in her chair. “We don’t discuss our clients, Beatrice, you know that.”
“She needs to find another place to live is all I’m saying,” Beatrice responded. She had already given Charlotte an earful for dating a policeman who had an ex-wife who was an abuse victim. Beatrice had asked a lot of questions about Carla and Donovan, and even though Charlotte never answered any of them, Beatrice had made up her mind about the situation. She thought it was very troublesome for an ex-wife of a current beau to be a client of Charlotte’s.
Of course, Charlotte was all too well aware of the trouble and the complications with the arrangement of clients and boyfriends. She had talked to Carla more than she wanted to talk about her personal life, and she had heard Donovan talk more about his former marriage than she really wanted to hear. In the end, there was nothing she could do about the way things were, and even if she could change the situation, she knew that Beatrice was not the one from whom she should be receiving counsel.
“Why did you call, Bea?” Charlotte asked, hoping to change the subject.
Beatrice sighed, knowing that as hard as she might push, she wasn’t going to get Charlotte to talk about her boyfriend or his ex-wife. “It’s Louise,” she answered. “She’s going to marry Roxie’s crazy sick husband.”
Charlotte paused, taking in the information. She knew a little about the marriage proposal because Louise had called her weeks prior when it was first given. She also knew that Beatrice had actually supported it when George had first asked Louise. “I thought you didn’t see this as a problem,” she commented.
“I was stupid,” she responded. “Of course it’s a problem.”
“Why?” Charlotte asked, glad to be on another subject.
“Because she’s going to move to Maryland,” Beatrice replied. “I never agreed to that part of this proposal. I thought they would live together in Hope Springs, that she’d hold his hand while he died here, in her home.”
Charlotte could hear the disappointment in Beatrice’s voice, and she too was surprised to hear first of all that Louise had agreed to marry the man, and now that she would leave her home for him. “Why can’t he go to North Carolina?” Charlotte asked.
“Because of all of his stuff: his doctors, his house, his furniture, it’s all there with him,” Beatrice answered. She paused. “I think he expects Louise to help him clean everything out, sell his house, and take care of him while he dies.”
“Does she say how long he has left?” Charlotte asked.
“Nobody can predict that,” Beatrice replied. “But yes, she says only a few months.”
“Then, Bea, she’ll be back to Hope Springs before the end of the summer,” Charlotte noted, thinking that since it was April then, a few months meant she would probably only be gone until August and then their friend would be back in North Carolina. It was clear to her then why Louise would agree to leave her home. “It’s not permanent.”
“Not permanent?” Bea responded. “That’s no reason to agree to his demands.”
Charlotte heard the disappointment suddenly change to anger. She could see that there was more to this conversation than just Louise going to live with George. “I don’t think he made demands,” Charlotte said. “Louise wants to do this,” she added. “You’ve heard her.”
“Louise is crazy,” Beatrice said.
“Beatrice, Louise is not crazy. She just wants to be close to Roxie, and in her unique way of looking at things, it does bring her closer to her friend. And it sounds like she’s really helping George out, so tell me, why has this got you so upset?” Charlotte asked. “Do you think she’s wrong to get married for the reasons she’s giving?”
There was a pause.
“No, I don’t think that. I always said that marriage is about a lot of things and love is only a part of that. She deserves his money and she loves to take care of people, we all know that. I don’t judge her for marrying George even though she doesn’t love him. I think her reasons are sound. And I think Roxie would be completely grateful to both of them for what they are doing for each other, in her honor.” She hesitated. “I’m not mad about that. The truth is …” She hesitated and then continued, “The truth is I just feel like my world is slipping away from me.”
Charlotte didn’t respond.
“Jessie and James have postponed the wedding renewal service.”
Charlotte knew about that too. Jessie had called to explain, and Charlotte had completely understood. She had canceled her airline ticket until they set a new date. She had been sorry to hear the news about James and his affair, but she thought the two of them were on their way to figuring things out. She had agreed that postponing the renewal ceremony was the best idea. Jessie still harbored anger and bitter feelings about James, and it was obvious that she needed a little time. But in spite of how things were, Charlotte was confident that they would work things out.
“I know, Bea. And I know you had made a lot of plans for that event.” Charlotte sounded sympathetic. She knew about the photographer and the florist and the musicians. She knew that Beatrice had given a lot of energy toward organizing details.
“I was making a cookbook,” Bea said.
Charlotte smiled. Beatrice had mentioned that she was creating a special gift for the couple but she hadn’t explained what it was. “A cookbook,” Charlotte repeated.
“Nothing fancy. I was just gathering a few finger food recipes, wedding reception hors d’oeuvres, putting them in a little special wedding cookbook. I was adding a few cake recipes at the end, some of those that didn’t get in the contest at Christmas last year. I already took it to the copy shop and they designed a real nice cover, using a picture of a big wedding cake with Jessie and James’s names at the top.”
Charlotte remembered the recipe contest Beatrice had organized the previous Christmas. Even she had submitted a cake recipe. “That’s really special, Bea, and when they decide to have their ceremony it will still be an appropriate gift.”
“But maybe they won’t decide to have it. Maybe they think it’s a stupid idea and they’ll not do it,” Bea responded.
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“Then you can give it to them for Christmas next year.”
There was no reply, and Charlotte realized that it sounded as if she was minimizing Bea’s disappointment. “Bea, I’m sure they will have their event. They just need a little time.”
“But then Louise will be gone,” Bea noted. “If they have it in the summer, she probably won’t come back. She’s going off to Maryland to marry her best friend’s husband. The world’s just gone nuts. Television shows make more sense than my life.”
Charlotte let her friend vent.
“Jessie’s despondent. You’re far away. Margaret’s dead. And Robin …” She didn’t finish the sentence.
“Robin is getting married and she invited you to the wedding.” Charlotte had been included in this Hope Springs drama just like all the others. She waited and then continued. “I agree with you that it was hurtful how she did it, but she did invite you, Bea, and you need to respond to her. You need to call your daughter and talk to her.”
“Yes, I know. Everybody tells me the same thing. But the truth is she should come to me. She and her Farrell Monk ought to drive themselves to my house and tell me to my face that they are getting married. It’s obscene that a mother finds out that her daughter is getting married from an invitation in the mail.”
Charlotte didn’t respond at first. She considered how she would tell her mother if she and Donovan ever got to the place that they wanted to get married. She would never confess such a thing to anyone, but she sort of understood why Robin had handled the arrangements the way that she had. Mothers and weddings could be trouble.
She cleared her throat and pushed those thoughts aside. “I agree with you, Beatrice. What Robin did was wrong. But you can stop this pattern of noncommunication before it goes on any longer. You can let her know that you are hurt by how she handled this, but you can still love her and support her as she begins her marriage.”
There was no response from Beatrice, but Charlotte knew she was still on the line because she could hear her breathing.
“Beatrice, she may not say it, but she still needs her mother.”
“You’re right, I know you’re right,” she finally said. “I’m just hurt is all,” she added. “You won’t get married and not tell me, will you, Charlotte?” she asked.
Charlotte heard the pleading tone. “Of course I won’t,” she promised.
“You wouldn’t invite an ex-wife to your wedding, would you?” she asked.
Charlotte considered the question. “Actually, he probably would if I didn’t,” she explained. “They happen to be good friends,” she added. The friendship between Donovan and Carla was becoming a bit difficult for Charlotte. It was something she was trying to work through. She was listening to her advice to Beatrice, and she knew she should follow it for herself too. She needed to talk to Donovan about her feelings about his relationship with Carla.
“Well, that’s not good,” Beatrice commented. “Why are they such good friends?” she asked.
“Bea, I guess they share a special bond, and unfortunately, having a new girlfriend doesn’t really make that bond go away,” she answered.
“You aren’t happy about it either, are you?”
Charlotte decided to be truthful. “I’m going to talk to him about it,” she confessed.
“Hmmpff,” Beatrice said. “The world has just gone crazy,” she repeated. “Completely crazy,” she added. “Whatever happened to a good old-fashioned church wedding between two young people in love, without ex-wives and the need to go to Mexico?”
Charlotte laughed. “I don’t know, Beatrice. It’s just the way of things, I guess.”
“Well, that’s no excuse.” She sighed. “I love you, Charlotte Stewart.”
“I love you too, Beatrice Newgarden Witherspoon. Give Dick a kiss.” She paused. “And don’t worry so much. It’s going to work out fine. Give Louise your blessing as her friend. Give Jessie a little time. And give your daughter a call.” She waited. “Okay?”
“Okay,” Beatrice responded. And the conversation was over.
George’s Dipping Dip
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
4 ounces tomato sauce
1 package dry Italian dressing mix
2 tablespoons chopped green olives
Combine all ingredients until blended. Chill. Serve with chips or crackers.
—George Cannon
Chapter Sixteen
This is your room.” George motioned to the master bedroom. “I moved my stuff out and I’ve taken the smaller one in the back.” He stood in the hallway as Louise walked into the room.
“I wasn’t expecting to stay in here,” she responded, pulling her suitcase behind her. “I would be fine in the guest room. That’s where I’m used to staying.” Louise had been a frequent guest in her best friend’s home over the years Roxie and George had lived there.
“No, this is best for you. You’ll have your own bathroom and plenty of privacy.” George appeared uncomfortable. He shifted his weight from side to side, still standing at the door. “Roxie would want you to be in here,” he added.
Louise turned to George. She could see how much his health had deteriorated since he had driven to North Carolina on that late winter day to propose. She guessed that he had probably lost forty or fifty pounds since his diagnosis of lung cancer. His face was gaunt and his clothes were too large. He looked like a shadow of the big man he used to be. “Yeah, she probably would,” she finally said.
“I’ll get your other belongings,” George said, and quickly turned to leave.
Louise was going to tell him that she would get her things herself, that he needed to rest, but when she glanced at where George had been standing, he was gone. She sighed. They had driven in from North Carolina just a few hours before and had gone straight to the courthouse when they arrived in town. They had been married for about an hour. Louise was also tired, and she sat down on the bed. She looked around the room.
Roxie was everywhere. George hadn’t changed a thing since he had been married to her. All the knickknacks she had purchased, all the same linens. Even her old jewelry box was still on the top of the dresser. Louise wondered if George had cleaned out anything since Roxie’s death.
The curtains were the same ones Roxie made when they first moved into the house. Louise remembered when she purchased the material. Louise had come up to visit and help them move in, and the two women had gone together to buy window treatments and new linens as well as other supplies. The two friends had spent many hours getting the house decorated and suited to Roxie’s ideas.
After seeing what the stores were offering, Roxie had decided to make her own window treatments, and the two had driven to every fabric store in a one-hundred-mile radius of the couple’s new home. Roxie finally settled on a nice floral fabric, and she had bought every yard the store had in stock. She had sewn long, thick curtains, and even after more than forty years of hanging in the same windows, they still looked new and fashionable. Louise stood up and walked over to the window. She touched a curtain, pulling it away from the glass. When she did, she could see outside in the front of the house, and she noticed George struggling with the other suitcases. She was going to go outside and help him and then she waited. She decided just to watch. He pulled one out from the backseat slowly, set it down beside him, and then leaned against the car. It was obvious that he was struggling. Finally, he pulled out the other one and stopped again.
Louise let the curtain fall back and returned to the bed and sat down. “What on earth am I doing here?” she asked herself. She glanced down at her left hand. She was wearing a wedding band, one that Bea and Jessie had bought for her to have for the civil ceremony. It was simple, just a gold band that they had purchased at the local jewelry store. “I am a married woman,” she said, shaking her head. “I am gay and married to my best friend’s dying husband.”
She thought about the events of the last few days. The good-bye lunch she had with her fri
ends that later turned into a silly bridal shower they had organized at Lester’s, complete with lingerie and the giving of the ring they had picked out. Beatrice had even ordered a special cake for Louise, pink frosting with a little bride standing on top. They had invited some of their church friends to attend. Even the pastor showed up, although it was clear that he was uncomfortable at the gathering and with the whole notion of Louise marrying George. He said a quick blessing and soon departed.
Louise remembered how James made an appearance as well and how awkward he had been around Jessie. It seemed as if they hadn’t been around each other in a number of weeks and they acted clumsy and fidgety around each other. Jessie moved to the opposite side of the diner when he arrived. James had brought a gift, a set of note cards, already addressed and stamped, half made out for Bea and half for Jessie. He had given Louise the gift, looked around the diner, found Jessie’s glance, nodded at her, and left.
After Jessie found out about the other woman and had confronted her husband, James had moved in with his son, and even though he and Jessie still talked to each other, it was obvious to everyone that something painful had happened between them.
Louise was worried about her friends. She even asked Jessie if she wanted her to stay in Hope Springs, offering to cancel the wedding and the move for her friend, but Jessie had convinced her that there was nothing that Louise could do and that she needed to go forward with her life.
“My life,” Louise said to herself, dropping her head in her hands. “This is some life,” she added.
“Are you sorry you’ve come?” George was standing at the door. He surprised Louise.
She snapped up her head. “No,” she said. “I was just thinking about Jessie and James,” she acknowledged. “They’re having problems.”
“Yeah, you mentioned the affair.” He stood at the door. “Are you sure it’s just that and not all this?” he asked.
Louise decided to be honest. “It is just a little crazy, don’t you think?” she asked.