Page 90 of His North Star
He ushered me to the table I’d be sitting at tonight. It had been months since I’d volunteered at the community center, and I’d missed it. These people who grumbled over minor things but supported one another better than most. They were mine. I hoped they still claimed me as theirs.
I gripped the chair in front of me tightly, my knuckles turning white. One life lesson my mother failed to tell me was that as an adult, I still wanted to be liked and included. This vulnerability after being away so long pulled my muscles taut. “What’s it to be tonight?” I asked my three friends, who sat at the round table.
“Maren! Glad you could join us. Care for a round of Rook?” Gloria asked.
“Always.” I smiled, prying my fingers off the chair.
Relief washed over me.They wanted me.
“You’re my partner,” Mrs. Sheffield said with a firm nod, causing her glasses to slide down her nose.
“You got it.”
“You may be young, but that doesn’t mean you’re as sharp as us,” Loretta joked, pointing between Gloria and herself.
“I know I’m no match for you.” I thumbed to the food table behind me. “I’m only here for the snacks.”
“I doubt that. You have better things to do with your time than spend it with us old biddies,” Mrs. Sheffield said.
Oh, but I didn’t. Coming tonight was the highlight of my week, and a welcome distraction. Charlie’s words repeatedly played in my mind. I ignored them, simply because I had no clue what to do with the information.
And Ty? He had no idea what Charlie had told me. He’d asked for my help organizing his linen closet, garage, and medicine cabinet. I made up an excuse about work, which I’d never done to Ty before. We were leaving soon for our trip to Lake Mary. Would it be weird?
This was all Charlie’s fault. I didn’t know how to act around Ty anymore. My face flushed and my tongue had tied around itself after Charlie left me in the closet. A feeling I wasn’t used to when it came to Ty.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else than here,” I said. “Besides, who can pass up Roger’s caramel popcorn?”
“It is quite delicious. Too bad my dentures don’t handle the stickiness well.” Loretta sighed.
“Oh hush,” Gloria chided. “You suck on it a bit before chewing, then it’s fine.”
Ew. I ducked my chin behind my arm to hide a gag. I could have gone without knowing that disturbing detail.
“Okay,” Mrs. Sheffield said, “let’s get the game started. I’ll deal.”
Throughout the first few hands, we concentrated on the game. Surprisingly, the women had little to say when strategizing. My hand was pitiful. A green fourteen was the only support I could offer Mrs. Sheffield, who had taken the kitty. After the last two cards were played, Mrs. Sheffield let out a “whoop!”
“Oh, do stop rubbing it in, Judith. The night is young. We can make a comeback,” Loretta said, annoyed.
I bit back a smile. I wasn’t competitive enough to talk trash, especially to my elders. They had no such qualms. After a rather biting remark made by Gloria, I glanced around, trying to find Phillip. If I could get him to come over, they’d behave and forget about the game.
The room wasn’t that large, but Mr. Silver Fox was nowhere to be seen. Where had he gone? Maybe he took a restroom break.
Time for Plan B.
“I’m going to get a few snacks. Anyone want something?” I offered.
“I’ll take a few peanut butter M&M’s,” Mrs. Sheffield said.
“Me too.” Loretta held up a hand.
“Gloria, anything for you?” I asked.
She tilted her head, deep in thought. It was a simple question. One that did not require a solid minute to respond to.
“No, I’d better not.” She shook her head.
“Okay.” I shrugged.
