Page 73 of Home Body
“Oh yeah. She’s the best source of gossip in town.”
“Huh. Well, she and Vilma are right. I went over religiously for a long time to see if I could perchance catch a glimpse of Margaret. Bought a few businesses along the way. I’ll never forget the day a year ago when I walked into that cafe and everyone there turned to me, and half a dozen people hollered, ‘Margaret’s getting a divorce!’ I thought I’d been so sly with my visits, but apparently everyone in Chelsea knew what I was up to, including Margaret. I left that cafe and headed for her house and there she was walking down the sidewalk coming to me. She’dalready been called by the owner of the cafe to tell her I was on my way. We’re dating again.”
“Good for you. When are you bringing her over to meet your Farmdale townsfolk?”
“Soon. Very soon.”
“I’m so glad, Vic. You deserve to be happy.”
“She sure does make me happy. But I’m afraid I’ll be a terrible husband. I don’t know how to do it.”
“Oh don’t worry. She’ll let you know how to do it.”
“Relationships sure can get complicated, can’t they?”
Mamie graced him with her glorious smile. “Yes. Isn’t it grand?”
They stood and shared a hearty hug.
As he started to walk away, Vic called out to her. “Mamie, we’re going to be friends forever, right?”
“Why, of course. There’s nothing else like an old friend who knows your darkest secrets and loves you anyway.”
Each of them walked away feeling content. And each of them felt the everlasting bond of deep friendship. Mamie mulled over their conversation and came to a conclusion.Devoted friends are as vital to our happiness as kin.
CHAPTER 43
As soon as they walked into the house, Mamie went to the wall phone in the kitchen and dialed a number. It took Dalia a minute to figure out who she called.
“Okay, Brody. See you soon.” Mamie ended the call and shrugged at her daughter. “No reason for a hard-working, single man to come home to a lonely, empty apartment with nothing to eat at the end of his day. That roast in the oven is big enough for ten people.”
“Mama, if our bakery fails, you can run a matchmaking service. I’m sure you’d be a huge success.”
“I believe I would.” Mamie turned on the radio and shimmied her hips to Little Richard belting outGood Golly Miss Mollywhile checking the roast in the oven. Satisfied, she closed the oven door and bopped around the room, singing along.
Rose got in on the fun and Dalia decidedwhy notand joined in, playfully twirling a kitchen towel above her head. Not to be left out, Rover bounced around, too. They fixed salad, set the table, and did everything for a proper supper, all the while rocking to their old-time rock and roll. They chain-danced to Aretha Franklin’sChain of Foolswhen Dalia came to an abrupt halt. Rose bumped into her. That got Mamie’s attention.
Brody stood in the doorway, grinning like a happy thief. “Good evening, ladies. I knocked, but nobody heard me.”
“Mr. Mac-Tyre!” Rose rushed to him, catching him off guard. He had to take a step back as she flung herself into his arms.
“How are you, sweetie?” he asked.
“I’m good. How are you?”
“I’m very, very good, now that I’m here with all of you.”
She giggled and wiggled out of his hold.
Mamie turned down the music while Dalia snatched a kiss from her man, and Mamie motioned for them to grab their drinks while she pulled out the roast. Mamie’s kitchen, always a safe harbor amid the uncertainties of the world, infused joy into the lives of all who were fortunate enough to step over its threshold. And the food was the best. That was the mood as they sat down and dug in.
While they ate, Dalia and her mama broached a topic they’d discussed earlier, having decided to break the news of Dalia’s heritage to Rose in pieces. Dalia started. “Rose, honey, guess what we found out today?”
“What?” Rose’s focus didn’t veer from her supper, which she was enjoying a lot.
“Well, you know how some people have really big families?”
“Ah ha.”
