Half Finished

by Lauraine Snelling

  “That was my favorite, Cherry Coke second.”

  He started the SUV. “Here we go down memory lane.” When they arrived at the drive-in and gave their order for two Green Rivers, the mike went silent.

  “Ah, did I hear you right? Green Rivers?”

  “Yes.” He grinned at Roxie, who was having a hard time keeping quiet.

  “Ah, could you give me a bit more information? This is a fountain drink?”

  “Yes.”

  Roxie thumped him on the upper arm and mouthed, You are teasing him. He nodded back.

  “You could Google it probably for the recipe. I’m not sure what it is made from, other than fizzy water.”

  “I see. Give me a moment, please.” The mike clicked off.

  Rich nudged her and whispered, “You started this.”

  “I did not. I said a Cherry Coke.”

  “They most likely have that.”

  “And French fries,” she added. “You have to have French fries with a Cherry Coke.”

  “Whatever.”

  “Come on, where’s your party spirit?”

  “Under the seat. It went into hiding when the kid didn’t know what a Green River is.”

  The speaker clicked back on. “I—I’m sorry sir, but we do not have the proper ingredients for… for…”

  “A Green River.” His tone oozed helpfulness.

  “Yes. Can I get you something else?” Hope reddened his request.

  “Well, I’m really disappointed you do not have the ingredients for our Green Rivers but I know you have at least part of a Cherry Coke.”

  “Yes, sir, we do have that. What size?” Relief sounded a lot like pleading.

  “I’d like two large Cherry Cokes and an order of fries.”

  Roxie held up two fingers and pointed to herself. He nodded.

  “Two orders of fries.”

  “Ketchup?”

  “Please.”

  When the speaker clicked off again, he turned to Roxie. “I didn’t think to ask if you were hungry. I mean, we could order hamburgers or something.”

  “Fries and a Cherry Coke are plenty.” She half turned and leaned against the door, one knee up on the seat. “So, how was your day?”

  “Great, but then I have decided that every day I wake up breathing well, I have a roof over my head, a job to go to, friends and family, everything is all right with my world and I rejoice.” His voice deepened. “Roxie, I am so grateful, I can’t begin to verbalize it all and even more so now.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Oh, good, our order is here.” He rolled his window down and dug his wallet out of his pocket. “Thank you, this looks great. That’s how much?” He handed the server a bill and waved. “No change needed, thanks.”

  “Thank you, sir. Let us know if we can get you anything else.” His smile lit up his face.

  He must have given him a big tip, Roxie thought, to get a smile like that. One more mark in his favor. Whatever was she doing, keeping score? She took her sleeve of French fries and nestled her drink in the drink holder on the console. “Thanks but no ketchup,” she answered in response to his questioning look.

  “Good, then more for me.” He handed her a napkin and straw. “A Cherry Coke. Do you think I’ll like it as much as I used to?”

  “Don’t know. Last one I tried was pretty sweet.” She stabbed her straw in the slash in the lid and watched as he took a swallow. He blinked and made a face.

  “You’re right! Sweet it is.” This time he sipped. “But drinkable.”

  “The fries must have just come out of the fryer. They are good.”

  “I like mine hot too. You realize how many things we have in common?” He dangled a ketchup-laden fry over his open mouth and sighed in delight. “I never order fries anymore. That’s one thing about getting older. My eating habits have had to change a bit.”

  “So, on a scale of one to ten, ten being high, what did you think of the movie?” She savored another fry.

  “Hmm. Ten high. I’d say, oh, a seven point five, no, make that an eight. I’m glad I saw it; there’s something about the big screen rather than on the TV at home, no matter what size the screen is. And you?”

  She nodded while chewing on another fry. “I’m not sure how many movies I’ve given a ten to, but not a lot, so usually my high is nine. That would put this one about seven. Really good but not ‘fantastic, superb, I want to see it again and tell all my friends.’”

  “Now that’s a really good definition. Can you repeat that, please? I should write it down.”

  “A cold drink and hot fries. What more can one ask for?” and she wasn’t being completely facetious.

  “In life in general?”

  “No, for a trip to the drive-in.” She didn’t finish verbalizing her thought. With a good-looking guy who has a good sense of humor and is a pleasure to be around.

  He set his drink back in the holder. “What are you doing this weekend?”

  “On Saturday, Loren and I are going garage sale-ing, then I have a date with a prospective buyer to tour possible houses.”

  “I see. And Sunday?”

  “Church first, then I’m not sure. I was thinking of going out to see Ginny.”

  “How is she doing?”

  Roxie shrugged. “About as well as can be expected, I guess. Trying to adjust. Amalia spent much of the last couple of weeks out there with her, since her kids other than Sam went back home. Come to think of it, almost a month has passed since Fred died.” Just saying the words caused a grab in her throat.

  “There are a lot of people in this area who miss him. Nate and I were talking. I think Fred touched more lives than anyone realized. I’ve never seen that big a funeral here before.”

  “How did you know him?”

  “Through a friend of mine. I commented on his garden one time and he said Fred and Ginny gave them many plant starts, he had the best tomatoes around, said Fred kept his own seeds from his grandpa’s gardens. I guess they call tomatoes like that heritage, no, that’s not right.”

  “Heirloom? Do you plant a garden?”

  “Not a very big one anymore. Gloria, my ex, still makes my strawberry and peach freezer jams, blueberry syrup, and hamburger pickles. I provide the produce. Oh, and she makes great salsa.”

  “Really?”

  “I know, it is really strange, but we are the best of friends; we just couldn’t live together. I thought after she married again, that some of these things would change, but Norm is a grand guy, so we’re all friends.”

  Roxie nodded. “You know how amazing that is?”

  “I think I do.” He nodded and half shrugged. “Another thing to be grateful for. When the children were still at home, they spent time at both of our houses, easy since our houses are so close together. I don’t tell a lot of people because they’d think I am making it up.” He flashed his lights for them to pick up the tray.

  “Would you like to go sailing Sunday afternoon, if there is a breeze and no rain? I never have enjoyed boating in wet weather. A good wind is another thing.”

  Roxie nodded without needing time to think. “Thanks, I would love that.”

  “Have you ever crewed before?”

  “Nope.”

  “I’ll ask Nate to come and he’ll ask Loren and…make sure you bring a windbreaker and wear nonslip shoes.”

  At the end of the date, he walked her to her door and smiled down at her. “Thank you for a really great evening. See you Sunday.” He bobbed his head once and headed for his SUV. Halfway there, he turned around and blew her a kiss. “Night.”

  Roxie let herself in the quiet house and leaned against the door after closing it. And here she’d been wondering what it would be like to kiss him. She needn’t have been concerned after all, not that she’d spent a lot of time thinking about it. “Hey, Sir Charles, where’s Loren?” She peeked in the family room but the TV was dark. Surely she hadn’t gone to bed already. Checking the kitchen counter where they left messa
ges as to where they were, she found a note that said:

  Remember we are going to hit the garage sales. Leave here at 6:45. Breakfast at Annie’s, post garage sales.

  A bit cryptic but typically Loren.

  The cat greeted her with a chirp and winding around her legs. Still smiling, Roxie scooped up Juno and headed for the stairs. Sure enough, Loren was sound asleep. How strange. She wasn’t sick, was she? Roxie almost let her mother instincts take over but instead went on to her room and got ready for bed. Garage sales started at seven, as in a.m. That’s why Loren went to bed early. Juno jumped up on the bed and Sir Charles flopped on the rug beside it. He knew that only by invitation was he allowed on the beds. And those invitations usually came from Loren.

  * * *

  Morning came quickly, and Roxie had not dreamt of Rich at all. Of course not. He was very nice, but no dreamboat.

  “You have the map and the list?” Roxie called to Loren as she finished putting on her makeup.

  “Yes and the coffee jugs.”

  “Did you feed the animals?”

  “Yes, come on, Mom, you’re making us late.”

  Roxie added earrings and grabbed her leather bag on her way to the car, now out in the driveway. “You want to drive?”

  “Fine with me, you navigate.” Loren swung into the driver’s seat.

  Roxie looked at the map. “You already have our route laid out, good girl.”

  “So, did you have fun last night?” Loren twisted to back out.

  “I did. He’s a good guy. He asked if I’d like to go sailing on Sunday.”

  “You better have said yes.” They got out onto the street and headed west.

  “Loren, you sound like a mom.” She glanced at the map. “Turn right here.” There were already cars parked and people getting out. She recognized several as antique dealers who were almost always the first at the sales. “Are you looking for anything special?”

  “Not really but you never know what we might find.” They got out of the car and made their way among the tables. Roxie picked up a bag of yarn, Loren two books, and they headed for the car.

  “Like you need more yarn?”

  “Got it for Almira at church. She is always crocheting lap robes for the nursing homes.” She tossed the bag in the back of her mini SUV. “The next one is two blocks over. A three-family sale. Might be good.”

  After hitting seven sales, they had, besides the yarn, a hanging basket of petunias, a pot decorated with zigzag rings to set a plain pot into, a new throw rug for by the door to the deck, three packs of sheets for the boxes made up at church for those less fortunate, several more books, and a catnip toy for Juno. They were almost to Annie’s when Loren’s cell woofed for her. She had recorded Sir Charles’s welcome-home barks and made it her ring tone. Roxie had no idea how her daughter knew the things she did, but this one always made her smile.

  While Loren talked to Nate, Roxie thought about her plans for the afternoon. She hoped she’d be able to take Sir Charles for a walk when they got home before she had to get ready to show houses.

  “I’d like that, okay, see you then.” Loren finished her call and stared at her phone a moment. “So we’re going sailing tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Good. Hope it’s not so rough I get seasick.” Roxie parallel-parked on the opposite side of the street from Annie’s. “Looks like they are busy. You hungry?”

  Loren nodded. “Is today a cinnamon roll day?”

  “Sometimes.” She inhaled just before opening the door. “Smells like it.” And she led the way inside.

  “What’ll you have, ladies?” Anne asked with a wide smile and sooner than they’d thought possible. “You hit the garage sales?”

  “How did you know?”

  “You have the cat-with-a-canary look. Any good buys?”

  Loren shrugged. “Not really. You ever get to go anymore?”

  “Not since we opened this. Lattes hot or iced?”

  “One of each, make mine iced and mocha.” Loren looked for a table.

  “There’s one over there.” Anne nodded to the left. “Breakfast? Need menus?”

  “Yes and yes.” Roxie took the menus Anne handed her. “Recommendations?”

  “Got fresh basil for the omelets, another batch of cinnamon rolls about out of the oven, and Gary is trying a new recipe for the corned beef hash.”

  “Cinnamon rolls for sure; can we get them without frosting?”

  “Sure can.” She handed them their drinks. “I’ll be over to get your order when you’re ready.”

  On the way to their table, they passed two ladies knitting away while they talked.

  “Hey, trying to get your UFOs done early?” Roxie asked with a wide smile.

  Paula, the woman with a bluish streak in her graying hair, raised her project out of her lap. “Wherever I go, this goes. I used to do this but got out of the habit. Actually I finished the one I started the first night.”

  “I bagged some of mine and numbered them,” the other woman, Edith, said. “Getting this group going sure has been a good incentive. Thanks.”

  “What are you making?” Roxie asked.

  “A poncho for my daughter. We bought the yarn a year ago and I got busy. She is really excited.” She laid it on her lap and smoothed it out. “Pretty, isn’t it? She has good taste when it comes to clothes. By the way, can I bring a friend to the next meeting? She’s visiting from Iowa and is thinking of starting one there.”

  “Of course. How about that? Someone also called because of the column that has started in the paper. See you at the meeting.” Roxie joined Loren at the table. “Did you order?”

  “Not yet.”

  After they’d turned in their orders, Roxie propped her elbows on the table and sipped from her rapidly cooling latte. “What are you doing this afternoon?”

  “Going over to the rescue place to help bathe dogs for their event tomorrow. I was going to help with that but instead I’m going sailing. Should I feel guilty?”

  “Guilt is highly overrated. A quote I heard somewhere. Had you promised for Sunday?”

  “No, nor for this afternoon, but I know they need help.”

  Roxie patted her daughter’s hand. “Thinking of picking up pizza and taking it out to Ginny’s. Want to go?”

  “Sure, beats cooking.”

  Roxie picked up her phone and clicked on Ginny’s number. “Hey, you want company who will bring pizza for supper tonight? Oh good. Any favorite kind? Addy too. I’ll get a super-size with everything but anchovies. Good, they don’t appeal to me either. Loren might come. Okay, see you sixish? You need anything else from town? Welcome.” She clicked off, nodding. “She sounds more like herself again.”

  “Addy is how old now?” Loren asked.

  “Going on twelve, I think.”

  “About the same age I was when Daddy died. Addy and Andy were really close to their grandpa, weren’t they?”

  “Yes,” Roxie replied. “MJ said Andy still hasn’t been over to the farm.”

  “Poor kids.”

  “Do you remember when their little brother died?”

  “Sort of.”

  “They spent most of a couple of years with Ginny and Fred.” Roxie looked up when their food arrived. “Thanks, Sean. You working Saturdays here now?”

  The boy nodded. “I can deliver food, clean off tables, and scrub pots and pans.”

  Loren grinned. “Having money you earned feels pretty good, doesn’t it?”

  “I don’t know, I’ll tell you after I get paid. Can I get you anything else?” His braces glinted when he smiled.

  Roxie watched him walk off to pick up a pitcher of water and start around the tables.

  “That’s Anne’s nephew, isn’t it?” Loren asked.

  “Looks like they’re keeping the jobs in the family.” She cut into her omelet. “Excellent. Reminds me, I didn’t buy any basil at the nursery. That would look good in that new pot. I wonder if Ginny has started any herbs.” Roxie dug her calend
ar out of her purse. “You have any things to add to the grocery list?” She flipped to the notes page, where she had started the list. “I’ll try to stop after the house tour. If you get home before I do, please call the pizza order in to pick up at five forty-five.”

  “Sure. Do you have kibbles for Juno on your list? Almost gone.”

  Roxie smiled to herself. Getting low on cat food? Oh, my Juno, that would never do. She wondered, did Rich shop for his grocery needs, or did Nate do it for him? Considering his skill with cooking, she imagined he did his own shopping. Good cook, good sailor, good landscape designer…there was so much more to that complex man than Roxie would have guessed.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Roxie and Loren are coming with pizza for supper,” Ginny announced.

  Addy looked up from the recipe file on the kitchen counter. “What’s their favorite kind of cookie?”

  Ginny shrugged and shook her head at the same time. “I have no idea.” She closed her eyes, hoping to recall a rather unusual fact like that, then nodded slowly. “Roxie loves lemon bars but we don’t have lemons.”

  “There’s a bottle of lemon juice in the pantry.”

  “Really? Hm. Been there awhile then. Hope it hasn’t been opened.”

  “If it was, you would have put it in the refrigerator—you always do.”

  Ginny stared at her granddaughter. “How do you know so much?” She leaned her posterior against the kitchen counter and crossed her arms. “You know what? You amaze me.”

  Addy’s forehead wrinkled. “Grandma, you’re the one who kept saying, ‘Now pay attention.’ Don’t you remember?”

  “Since when do people do what I ask?” She got the Oh, Grandma look that went along with a slight shake of the head. “Okay, okay, sorry. You just caught me by surprise.” At the singing of her phone, she fumbled in her pocket and hit the button. “Hi, Sam.”

  “Just checking up on you two. How are things going?”

  “Addy is deciding what cookies to bake next. Roxie and Loren are bringing pizza out for supper.”

  “Good. You have any tomato plants left?”

  “You planted all those you got the other day?” She watched Addy bringing the baking ingredients out to the counter.