Half Finished

by Lauraine Snelling

  “Of course. Here’s a box for you too. I thought maybe your UFO group would like some.”

  “Oh, I’m sure they will. How’s your project coming?” She heard a dejected sigh.

  “I don’t think I’m supposed to be a knitter. The yarn is wearing out with all my pulling the stitches out again.”

  “Have you tried crocheting? I think it is lots easier for some people, especially those who pull the yarn too tight.”

  Addy said, “That’s me, can hardly get the needles into the loops.”

  “I have an easy pattern for crocheted pot holders. Just chain and keep on single crocheting until the pot holder is finished.”

  “Is that the one where it looks like some sort of strange hat until you flip and smooth it out?”

  Amalia smiled at the description. “That’s the one. They last forever and you don’t have to count stitches after the first single crochet. Rather monotonous.”

  “But is it easy?”

  “As pie.”

  Ginny stopped in front of the library. “Have fun.”

  Addy bailed out and waved as she entered the glass and metal doors.

  Amalia settled back. “She is such a good kid. Well, both of them are. Has Andy been back to the farm yet?”

  Ginny shook her head. “No, but we’re all getting together on Sunday for a bonfire picnic out at Monroe Park. I’ve been wanting hot dogs roasted on sticks over the fire. All the world of difference between a bonfire and a grill. Why don’t you come too?”

  “What can I bring?”

  “I don’t know, haven’t thought that far yet. Think of something.” She pulled into a parking place down the block and both got out, carrying a bag with a project in it. “I’m taking after you.” She held up the bag. “Finished the afghan, so I pulled out a doily I started many moons ago. So very portable.”

  “So you’ll get your picture up on the board?” Amalia reminded her.

  “I will.”

  Sir Charles and Looper stood up as the friends approached, tails flailing. Ginny rubbed them both behind the ears. “Spook sends his greetings.”

  She pushed open the door to the café—and inhaled. “Must be cinnamon rolls day. I can still smell them.”

  “Probably don’t have any left by now. Hi, Anne. Sure smells good in here.” Ginny sniffed again. “Cinnamon rolls and bacon, and that makes me think I want a BLT.”

  “Hi back, the other two are in the meeting room. What can I get you to drink? I have mint iced tea today.”

  “Sounds great. That will be two BLTs with mint tea,” Amalia answered.

  “Fries, potato salad, or green salad, oh, and coleslaw.”

  “More decisions. I’ll take potato salad. Ginny?”

  “Make it easy, me too.” They took their drinks and headed to the room at the back, answering greetings as they went. Ginny managed to answer a how-you-doing question without it throwing her into tears.

  “Whew,” she said as she set her things down. “Made it.”

  “Good for you.” MJ reached over and patted her hand. “Sit and be comfortable. Did you get the mint tea?”

  “Hey, long time no see.” Roxie grinned at her. “Amalia, how’s life at the home?”

  “My lanai is being taken over by plants and bird feeders. Any spare room left and Jehoshaphat uses that. At least the people down below have not complained. I hope they like birds. They don’t know about the monster cat.” She looked at Sean, who was their waiter today. “Thanks, good job.”

  “I just follow instructions.”

  “Ah, that’s the mark of a good employee,” MJ added.

  He finished handing out the plates of food. “Now, can I get you anything else? Refills on the iced tea?” When they all nodded, he said, “I’ll be right back.”

  Amalia commented, “This is his second summer working here. Addy told me one day she plans to work here, as soon as she is old enough.”

  MJ snorted. “She’ll have such a big cookie business by that time, she’ll be hiring some of us.”

  “MJ”—Ginny paused—“you really think so?”

  “What’s stopping her?”

  Ginny shrugged. “You better talk with her. All I know right now is that she has two orders of three dozen cookies each to bring to the UFO group. Her oatmeal-plus are her most popular so far.”

  A woman dressed in pink capris, pink slip-ons, and a pink T-shirt stopped at their table to chat. After greetings, she smiled at Roxie. “Who is that handsome man you were with at the movies last week? He looks so familiar.”

  Roxie nodded. “His name is Rich Owens.”

  “The same family that owns the furniture chain?”

  “Yes.”

  Amalia took a bite of her sandwich. Interesting. One couldn’t get away with anything in this town. When the woman waved and left, Amalia wiggled her eyebrows at Roxie. “Do you have something you were just waiting to tell us?”

  “Yeah,” MJ chimed in. “Looks that way to me.”

  Roxie rolled her eyes. “It’s no big deal. He’s Nate’s father, the young man who I told you has reconnected with Loren. They knew each other in high school. We had a barbeque at his house a couple of weeks ago and saw a movie last Friday, oh, and went sailing once.”

  “And?”

  “And Nate and Loren are seeing more of each other and talking on the phone and…” She dropped her voice. “I think he is really interested in her, and he is a charming young man with a great deal of depth.”

  “And Loren?”

  “She’s beginning to talk about him and having a good time. They like a lot of the same things.” She raised crossed fingers. “I think this could really be the one.”

  Amalia leaned back in her chair, nodding. “That is excellent news.”

  “I just want her to be happy. And he’s not a typical guy of today; he’s a real man with a good job, an education, and goals and dreams. Oh, and they both attend the same church.”

  “So he is a man of faith?” MJ asked.

  “Yes, he is and not shy about it.”

  “Well, good.” MJ finished her salad. “Anne sure has good food here.” She grinned at Ginny and Amalia. “And now let’s hear a bit more about his father.” All three of them turned and stared at Roxie.

  Two ladies, Paula and Edith, stopped by their table. “We just wanted to thank you all for starting the UFO club,” Paula said. “You have no idea what a difference it made for us. Our husbands kept saying, ‘Get rid of that stuff if you’re not going to finish anything.’” They looked at each other. “We married brothers and they sympathize with each other. While I’ve not finished so much, it made me pull all the stuff out and sort it. Now it’s organized and my laundry room doesn’t need a closed door all the time.”

  “We did hers first and then mine,” Edith went on. “I still have more craft stuff to go so I got a big idea. What if we have a swap meet at one of the meetings and people can bring stuff that they want to rehome?”

  “Great idea!” MJ looked at Roxie, who nodded.

  Edith dipped her head toward Paula. “We wanted to encourage you by telling you this.”

  MJ said, “You most certainly did encourage us, thank you. As of now, there is an evening group and a morning group, another group at the home, and several others are talking about starting a group at their church or in an organization. So, some of our evening members are moving to other groups.”

  “Well, I hope they let us know of their successes so we can all celebrate.” One of them patted MJ on the shoulder. “Thanks again.”

  The four stared at each other as the two left. “Can you believe that?” Roxie stared at MJ and then the others. “Do you all realize that all this started because MJ got fed up with her stuffed-full craft room and was ready to call in a bulldozer?”

  MJ added, “But the UFO part was your idea. I sure hope other towns catch on like this. Or you think maybe we are just a fluke?”

  “Doubtful, but all the encouragement is sure helpful.” M
J pushed her plate back. “And people helping each other at the meetings. I heard one lady volunteer to take a person she did not know well to a doctor appointment because she lamented her car was in the shop. People just being helpful.”

  “Can I get you ladies anything else?” Sean asked.

  “More iced tea?” MJ raised her glass. When he’d left, she muttered, “Not that I need more but it sure is good.”

  Ginny looked around for a clock. “I need to pick Addy up in half an hour.”

  “You should have told her to walk over here.” Roxie cocked her head. “Call her and tell her.”

  “Can’t. She turns her phone off when she’s working in the library.”

  Knitting while their conversations continued, Amalia looked at Roxie. “So, when are you seeing him again? Rich, I mean.”

  “I figured who you meant. We’re going to the concert at the Thelma on Saturday, after we go for supper somewhere. He said business casual.”

  “Oh, really? What does that mean?”

  “Nice clothes but not fancy dress-up. Guess I’ll wear a dress, not a cocktail dress, though.”

  Amalia grinned wickedly. “And what shoes will you be wearing to this affair?”

  Roxie looked down at her feet. “Certainly not these shocking pink tennies.”

  “Interesting how seldom we dress up anymore. Life has gotten so much more casual.” Ginny shook her head. “I don’t even own a dress anymore. I have a couple of long skirts that hang there hoping.” She looked at Amalia. “Uh-oh, I can see the wheels turning.” She smiled up at their server. “Thanks for the refill.”

  Amalia nodded. “I just have this gut feeling that Roxie’s life is about to change to include Rich and his son. And you all know how often my gut feelings are true. They happen.”

  “That’s true, we’ve seen it.” MJ looked to Roxie. “So, you ready for that?”

  “Come on,” Roxie insisted, “we’re just friends.”

  “That’s what they all say.” MJ didn’t sound convinced at all.

  “Where does he live?” Ginny asked.

  “North, up the lake farther. Incredibly beautiful place. He has three grown children, Nate is his youngest. He lives here in Fond du Lac.”

  “And manages the family-owned furniture store?”

  “Yes. Nate has never married but Rich was divorced when his kids were still in grade school. Anything else you want to know?” She sounded a bit pushed.

  “Does he make you laugh?” Amalia asked.

  “Oh, yes.”

  “And feel special?”

  Roxie nodded.

  Amalia sat back smugly. “I rest my case.”

  “We’d better get going.” Ginny pushed back her chair. “See you all later.”

  Amalia stood too. “Been a pleasure. See you Monday night, if not before.”

  Back in the car, Ginny turned to look at Amalia. “Not next Saturday but the one after, Addy and Andy will be going to Bible camp. At first I thought I could stay by myself and maybe by then I will be at that place, but right now it’s looking doubtful.”

  “If you’re asking me to come out again, I would love to. It is not a sacrifice, it’s a pleasure, so let’s leave it that way. If you truly think you’ll be fine by yourself, that is fine with me too.”

  Ginny heaved a sigh and shifted into drive. “Thank you. I hate to impose.”

  “That’s hogwash, how many years have we been friends? How often were you and Fred out helping me when I finally decided to sell?”

  “That’s what friends are for.”

  “Right. I rest my case.”

  They stopped at the curb, where Addy slung her backpack in the backseat and climbed in.

  “You got more library books, I take it.”

  “How can you tell?”

  “The weight of the backpack. No lighter than when you went in. What did you do today?”

  “Shelved books. Several of them came home with me. Grandma, I’m starved.”

  Ginny smiled. “Figured you would be. Where do you want to stop?”

  “Do you mind?”

  “Not at all. We’ll drop Amalia off first.” She turned at the next stop sign. “You need anything at the store, Amalia?”

  “Thanks but I’m fine. Just let me out at the street. You needn’t drive in. Thanks for the ride.” She waved them off and headed for the stairs. Much healthier than the elevator. A note on her door said:

  Come on over for Mexican Train. There will be four of us. Seven.

  It was signed with the initials of Lily, her friend two doors down who had been so ill. Wonderful! She opened her door to Jehoshaphat meowing as if she’d been gone for days instead of a few hours. Bending over, she scooped up her feline becoming friend and stroked his back before he squirmed to get down.

  “Hey, you are settling in, I think there is hope for you yet.” She slid open the screen door and stepped out on the lanai. A slight breeze cooled her on its way past into her apartment.

  What if Roxie really did fall in love and get married? How would it change the group? Change. Good thing God didn’t give them a laundry list of what was coming. Right now was enough to deal with. She went to stand in front of the freezer. What could she fix to take to the game night?

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Dear Roxie,

  I am writing this to all of you but I have an address for you since you sold us a house many years ago. I have been a member of the UFO group from the beginning and so appreciate it. I began with a needlework picture I had started several years ago at least, for a friend of mine. She’d ask me about it once in a while because she was working on something too and we kind of challenged each other. I don’t know if she finished hers but she has been fighting a recurrence of breast cancer that metastasized to her brain. I finished my picture, framed it, and took it to her two weeks ago. We had a marvelous visit and she showed me where she wanted it hung so she could see it when she woke in the morning.

  My friend went home to Jesus two nights ago and her husband said she made him promise to call me and tell me, again, how grateful she was for our friendship and that I brought her the picture just when she needed it most.

  So I am thanking all of you for the encouragement to finish something started. I never dreamed God would use my stitchery in such a way. And please share this with the others and the whole group if you want. I’ll be back but not just yet. May our Lord God bless you all in that you do.

  Blessings,

  June Asbury

  Roxie blew her nose and wiped her eyes. She picked up a box of tissue and took letter, tissue, and phone out on the deck, where the birds were singing, Sir Charles was snoring in the sun, and Juno greeted her with a chirp. She sat down at the table with umbrella shade, then Juno jumped up on the table and rubbed against her chin, purr already in full force. After another face mop, Roxie blew out a breath and hit MJ’s name.

  “You better be sitting down. I am going to read you something.”

  “Okay, give me a sec. You sound awfully serious.” Roxie heard the chair squeal when MJ sat down. “Ready.”

  “Oh, do you have tissues at hand?”

  “No, I’m outside on the patio.”

  “I’ll wait.”

  When MJ sat back down, Roxie read the letter.

  As soon as she could speak, MJ started, cleared her throat, and finally said, “Oh, my word. Roxie, this is beyond belief. All we wanted was to get some of the stuff done and out of the craft room.”

  “I know, but how often have we heard that God uses unusual things to get through to us. Even a donkey. Little things, big things, but I am in shock. I mean we were joking about finishing baby blankets when the recipient is now in grade school and so many other things. We made a joke out of it and look what God did with our crazy efforts.” She paused and blew her nose again. “MJ, I want to learn to listen better.”

  “Me too. Me too. We have to tell the others, read it to them. And I think we should read this at the next meeting. Af
ter all, June said that was okay. Which reminds me, better send her husband a card. Good thing we got addresses and phone numbers. You know, I thought it was the time together with people getting to know each other, but now I see it can be important in many different ways. Just never thought of God using this.”

  “I know, me either. I figured we’d have a fine time, feel good about finishing things, you know.” Roxie blew out a breath. “I’m going to call Amalia and Ginny. Talk with you later.”

  “Thanks. Maybe it will be easier when you read it through again.”

  “Right.”

  Ginny broke down and said she’d call back later. And yes, Addy was with her. Amalia, the one who cried the least among them, sniffed and blew right along with Roxie. “MJ said she thought reading this again would be easier but not appreciably. She’s going to have to be the one to read it to the group. I do not want to stand up there and blubber.”

  “You won’t, but tears never hurt anyone. Someone I know told me about that.”

  “Hush, you know how I hate eating my own words. Have you read it to Ginny yet?”

  “I did and she said she’d call me back. I hope this doesn’t send her into a real crying jag again. She has said so often how tired she is of crying. I get that.”

  “Interesting that three of us in this group have lost a husband. You ever thought of that?”

  “Nope. But true.” Roxie glanced at the clock on her cell phone. “I gotta run and get changed. Meeting with a client in an hour. Thanks, my friend. Ah, could you call Ginny in a while, just to check on her?”

  “Of course.”

  Roxie clicked off and stared at the phone while petting Juno. Sir Charles laid his muzzle on her leg and stared up at her as if pleading for her to be happy. “It’s okay, fella.” She stroked down his soft fur. “How about a cookie to help us both feel better.” His tail thumped against the floor and he headed for the door.

  Later that afternoon after meeting with one client to sign the final papers on their house and then explaining how the system worked to another who had called to learn about her services, she stopped by the grocery store on her way home. They needed something for supper and she had been so busy lately, the pantry was becoming depleted, along with the fridge and freezer.