Page 21 of Townshipped
“I made what we call Hopple Popple,” Mabel explains. “It’s got diced potatoes, eggs, vegetables, meat, and well, just a bit of everything.”
She grabs for my plate, digs the spoon in deep and plops a serving onto my dish that could easily feed both me and Aiden.
Esther nearly cuts Mable off in her rush to say, “And I made the country apple coffee cake that won the Pillsbury bake-off last year. Only I make it with my own twist and it’s far better that way if you ask me.”
Esther leans toward me from her seat next to mine and props her hand by her mouth. In a loud whisper, she says, “I use the canister biscuits and a little extra butter.”
“I heard that, Esther,” Mable says. “I saw the same suggestion on the website. It’s not your twist.”
“Now how do you know the person on the website didn’t steal my idea, Mable?” Esther asks.
“Well now. You got me there,” Mable concedes.
Aiden and I exchange a glance. He’s amused. His face cracks that dimple, the one that feels like it’s just for me, even though it’s obviously just something his face does when he smiles a certain way.
I’m relieved that he’s not looking too put out. I’m having the time of my life. I really would love for these three to stay. They make things interesting, to say the least.
Not to be outdone by Mable or Esther, Memaw says, “You would really be best off eating my cupcakes, but, seeing as it’s breakfast time, I’ll bring those by another day.”
Aiden lets out a barely audible groan and mouths,More unannounced visits,to me. We exchange a private glance. I smile, hoping he sees how much I’m enjoying the antics of these three seniors.
Aiden’s used to being all the way out here on the outskirts of his small town alone, and now he has three chattering women and an uninvited houseguest taking over his dining room before eight in the morning.
He smiles back at me though.
“Anyway,” Memaw continues. “I brought a cheesy hash brown casserole with cornflakes baked on top to add that extra little somethin’.”
“Touch those at your own risk,” Mabel says in a low grumble while Memaw pulls my plate toward herself and slaps a generous helping on it.
Memaw shoots Mable a look full of daggers.
I seem to have been the only one worthy of being served by our guests, so they pass the serving dishes around and then we start eating. We’ve barely taken our first bites when there’s another knock at the door. This time Aiden’s groan is unmistakable.
“Looks like news spread through town about your arrival,” he says as he excuses himself from the table and walks to the door.
“Mom.” Aiden’s voice carries through from the entryway. “And Karina, you brought the kids. I’m guessing you came to meet Em?”
“You have a woman living in your home, Aiden. You should expect we’d come by.”
“She’s living here temporarily,” he explains.
My heart goes into my throat for a moment. How long do I have until I wear out my welcome?
I don’t belong here.
I don’t know where I belong.
Dizziness threatens to bring the few bites of food I’ve eaten back up my throat. An urge to figure out my past surges like it hasn’t since the first day I woke up after the accident. Was that only two days ago, or three? My mind feels temporarily confused and a dull ache fills my brain.
Memaw looks over at me as though she can hear my thoughts. “You’re welcome here, hunny. He would have made other arrangements if you weren’t. You’ve got to realize how we are in Bordeaux. We don’t like being the last to know, especially when it comes to family business.”
Maybe it’s Memaw’s soft hand resting on my forearm like she’s going to hold me in place despite myself. Or it could be the way her eyes send me wordless comfort. Whatever it is, I feel better, and I know Memaw’s right. If Aiden wanted me to be somewhere else, he would have arranged for it, even if Hazel said it was best for me not to undergo too many changes right now.
I don’t hear the rest of the conversation between Aiden and his family because I’m focused on Memaw, and on not making a run for it. To where? I realize I’m still shaking a little when I consider the fact that I’d have nowhere to go if Aiden decided I couldn’t stay here.
Aiden comes around the doorway into the dining room completely unaware of my minor freak-out. “Em, this is my mom, Rebecca, and my sister, Karina, and my niece and nephew, Ashley and Sawyer.”
“Hi,” I say with a wave.
