Page 9 of Sensing Selma
Her blonde
hair tousled and her eyes half open, she propped herself up on her elbow and looked at me. “What for?”
I shrugged. “I have no idea. I think she just might need us a little more through this difficult time.”
“Do you think maybe she’s found a way for us to keep the house?” Her eyes widened and she threw off the bedcovers to sit up. “Oh. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? Mother has connections. She knows people here in Bath. Father was very well known and well liked. Perhaps she’s found someone who will help us.”
“Don’t get your hopes up,” I said. Judging by the expression on Mother’s face, she hadnotfound a solution to our dilemma at all.
“Oh. You’re such a downer, Susan. Be optimistic for once in your life.”
Right. “Hurry up and come down if you want to find out one way or another.”
“What are we having for breakfast?”she called as I stepped out and closed the door.
“Waffles,” I shouted back as I made my way down the hall.
I returned to the breakfast room to find my mother pouring herself a cup of coffee.
“Is she coming?”
“She’ll be down in a minute.”
“I don’t know what I’d do without you girls.”
Smiling, I prepared the waffle mixture while the waffle iron heated up.
“Do we have fresh strawberries?”Mother said.
“There are a few left.”
“And cream?”
I nodded.
I brought the strawberries and cream to the table, as well as the necessary dishes, then returned to the waffle iron to pour the mixture in.
“Good morning, Mother dear,” Holly said as she sauntered in and sat down. “Are the waffles ready yet?”
I bit my tongue.
“What’s going on?”she asked Mother. “Why did you want to have breakfast with us this morning?”
“Oh, Holly, my beautiful angel.”
My breath caught in my throat. Why was I always the responsible and reasonable one, while Holly was the beautiful angel who was permitted anything she liked?
“Tell me, Mother,” Holly said again. “What do you have to tell us?”
“Oh, honey. It’s just so wonderful and reassuring to sit with you both and enjoy waffles with strawberries and cream and...”
“Is that all?”Holly said, clearly disappointed.
“You girls mean the world to me,” Mother went on.
“Well, I know that, but... I just thought that...” With a huff, she sat back.
“What did you think, dear?”Mother said.
