Page 101 of Dreams of Falling
“She’s... She’s not happy,” Ceecee said. “I try to visit almost every day, but really, I go to see Ivy. It’s a miracle she’s such a happy child. Boyd dotes on her, but he works most of the time. I spoil her something fierce, but really, we’re just trying to make up for Margaret. She treats that child like a pet. Stroking her, letting her sit on her lap when it’s convenient, but otherwise she’s forgotten. I give Ivy double the affection and attention to make up for it.”
Ceecee pushed against the floorboards of the porch, then added, “I saw Boyd yesterday, and he said he’d sent Margaret and Ivy to Augusta to stay with relatives until the storm blows over. That’s probably why you couldn’t reach her.” Keeping her hands palm down on her lap, she said, “Margaret thinks I’m having an affair with Boyd.”
“It would serve her right if you were, but that’s not who you are. She should know that.”
“I’m sure she does. She’s just looking for an excuse for why her life isn’t the way she always thought it should be,” Ceecee said.
“And you? What are your excuses for not leading a fulfilling life?”
Ceecee stared back at her friend. “What do you mean? My life is very fulfilling. I have my flowers, and my father’s church. My mother says she can’t imagine running the household without my help.”
Bitty rolled her eyes. “Very fulfilling. But what are you doing foryou?”
Ceecee thought for a moment. “I take care of Ivy. She’s the only thing that matters right now.”
“I hope you don’t mean that. I love her, too, but you have to give her enough space to maneuver on her own. Look what happened to Margaret.”
“I do give her space,” said Ceecee, shrugging. “But I can’t help spoiling her. It’s what gets me out of bed in the morning.”
Bitty reached for her hand and squeezed, no words needed between them.
The front door opened, and Lloyd burst out onto the porch. “Mama wants to know if Bitty will be here for supper. Daddy’s staying at the church to help anyone looking for shelter, so we have an extra place.”
Bitty smiled at him. “Please tell your mama thanks, but my parents will be expecting me home.”
Instead of running back in, he said, “Mama wanted me to tell you that the man on the radio said the storm is expected to make landfall in the Carolinas sometime tomorrow morning.”
“Did he mention where exactly?” Bitty asked.
Lloyd wrinkled his forehead. “I think she said north of here—maybe Myrtle Beach?”
“Thank you, Lloyd,” Bitty said, throwing him another Tootsie Roll. He caught it and grinned, then retreated back into the house. “I guess I should be getting home.” She faced Ceecee. “Are you scared?”
Ceecee shrugged. “I should be. I’ve always hated hurricanes. But after all that’s happened in the last couple of years, I can’t find much of anything to be scared about anymore.”
Bitty stood, frowning down at her. “I’m sorry. If I could think of something that would make all of this better for you, I would.”
Ceecee met her gaze. “I know you would. But unless we can figure out how to turn back time, I can’t think of anything either one of us can do to change the way things are now.”
They were silent for a long moment as they regarded each other. The sound of the phone ringing from inside the house startled them both.
“That’s probably my mother, wondering where I am,” said Bitty. “At least we know the phone lines are still up.”
“For now,” Ceecee said, trying to feel nervous or grateful or scared. Anything but numb.
Ceecee’s mother opened the door, a deep furrow between her brows. After a brief greeting for Bitty, she said, “Boyd’s on the phone, Sessalee. He says it’s urgent.”
Ceecee looked at Bitty. “I’ll wait,” Bitty said, following Ceecee inside to the kitchen.
Ceecee closed her eyes at the sound of Boyd’s voice, and faced the wall so no one could see. “Hello?”
“Sessalee. Thank goodness you’re there. I’m sorry to be so abrupt, but I’m at the hospital and I don’t know where Margaret is.” His voice was clipped, devoid of warmth, and she was glad; it helped her focus on what he was saying. “She and Ivy never made it to my aunt’s house. I’ve called the highway patrol, and there haven’t been any accident reports on any of the roads she might have taken. I was hoping you’d heard from her.”
“No, I haven’t. Bitty’s here, and she hasn’t heard from her, either. Do you think she might still be at Carrowmore?”
“It’s possible, but I’ve called and called, and no one answers.”
“And Ivy’s with her, wherever she is,” Ceecee said, the first prongs of fear nudging her out of her inertia.
