Page 44 of Grounded
“The rumor around town is that he worked for the airline and had to fire you, and that’s why you broke up with him,” Lindy said.
“People are saying that?” Annie asked in an agitated tone. “It’s a small town. People fill in the blanks with what is most interesting,” Lindy said. “Don’t take it personal.”
Annie pictured herself in a romantic entanglement with Bob Vichy and burst out laughing. “That’s so ridiculous it’s funny,” she said, hardly catching her breath.
“You know what they said about me when I came home? I had nowhere to go, so I came back to work with my dad. Annie, I had offers from Chicago and Atlanta, but I never even told anyone. I figured they’d find out soon enough if I could handle it.”
“Who are ‘they’?”
Lindy adjusted the radio. “Women who married young, green with envy that we got out. Loafers down at Bill’s Diner, the old men and women with time on their hands. It’s fairly harmless, but annoying just the same. Can I ask you another question.” Lindy had a mischievous look in her eye. “Did you ever date Jake Wilder?”
“Jake? No! We’re only friends. We used to be like brother and sister growing up. We barely kept in touch the last several years, although I don’t know why. I guess life takes you in different directions and you forget how much someone means to you.”
“You have to admit, he is a catch,” she said.
“It sounds like he’s been caught,” Annie said.
“Maybe. Evelyn was in the office yesterday, bringing us cinnamon rolls, and said Camille is coming with him next weekend.”
They had talked about everything but Camille when Jake called. But of course he would bring her, especially as he was considering movinghomeas one of his options.
The restaurant walls were covered with black and white pictures of local celebrities. Featured prominently were the University of Kentucky basketball and football coaches, and some of the players, both past and present. Even Hollywood stars like Ashley Judd, George Clooney and Johnny Depp were proudly featured Kentuckians. The fare was fine Angus steak, grass-finished and locally grown, served in an atmosphere of dark paneled walls and white table linens.
After the salads arrived, Annie asked, “So what happened with your mom?”
“I was in my last year of college. She had a brain aneurism and died almost immediately. It was shocking. My older brother was home at the time, quite by accident. He called 9-1-1, but she was basically gone before they got to the hospital.”
“I’m so sorry,” Annie said.
“You know what it’s like. It made that first year of law school way harder, but I also had a determination not to let Dad down after all that. And I realized I had a great mother for a lot longer than some folks.”
“It’s still painful, no matter when it happens.”
“It made me realize none of us are here forever and sometimes when you say goodbye to someone it might be the last time you see them on this earth. I was home the weekend before it happened. I had no idea when I kissed her goodbye on that Sunday that I would never see her again, in this life anyway.”
They fell into silence, and Annie pondered Lindy’s words. The thought of a life after this was pleasant enough. She was brought up to believe in Heaven and Hell, but were they really true? With her life in New York so full of activity, schedules and events, she had not spent much time thinking about what happened beyond. Really, she had not wanted to, other than to console herself with the belief that her own mother and grandfather were in some better place.
Annie’s cell phone vibrated. “Excuse me,” she said to Lindy. “It’s Evelyn. I better take this.” Annie left the booth and walked just outside the front door.
“I was going to leave you a message. I hope I’m not disturbing anything.”
“No, it’s fine. Is everything okay?”
“Oh yes. I had an idea and wanted to see what you thought. Beulah’s been talking about painting her house with that money from your renter. Of course, Fred had always handled that sort of thing for her, and she doesn’t realize it won’t be nearly enough. I may get in trouble for this, but we’ve cooked up a way to get your grandmother’s house painted while she’s in the hospital.”
“How?”
“A couple of church members have volunteered to do the work for free. Now, you know Beulah won’t take outright charity, so we’ll let her pay for the paint and materials, which will probably be a good chunk of the money she set aside. They can start the morning she has her surgery, and with the few days in the hospital and if the weather holds, they should get a good start on it before she gets home.”
“Evelyn, that’s wonderful,” Annie said. “She’ll be thrilled.”
“I promised to provide lunch while they’re there, so I might need your help and use of the kitchen.”
“No problem. I’ll do whatever I can.”
Back at the booth, she shared Evelyn’s idea with Lindy.
“I would love to help!” her friend said. “I think my schedule is a little crazy next week, but any free time I have, I’ll come paint.”
