Page 5 of Sensing Selma
ONE
Susan
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“ARE YOU GOING TO TELLMother?”Holly said as I drove us back to Selma Sanctuary.
“I don’t know,” I said. “Maybe not yet. Maybe not until everything is sure and settled.”
“You’re such a worry wart, Susan.Keely asked us to pass by tomorrow to sign our contracts,” Holly argued. “It doesn’t get surer than that.”
I nodded. I knew she was right. The sooner we told Mother the good news, the sooner we could start packing and get our things out of what had once been our home.
“This chance meeting is just so perfect,” Holly said, her eyes glistening as I’m sure she envisioned her name up in lights. “I mean, I knew Ayra wanted me for this movie, but to actually meet the producer and her assistant. Susan, do you know what this means?”
I nodded. “It means your career is about to take off.”
“That’s right.”Her smile overflowed with pride. “I saw Keely’s movie adaptation ofPride and Prejudice. The critics loved it. And thenNorthanger Abbey. And the cinematographer forPersuasionis up for an Oscar.”
“You forgotEmma,” I said, remembering the movie that was my favorite.
Holly nodded. “I believe that’s the one Ayra arranged the music for. Or was itPride and Prejudice? Oh, I don’t remember, but either way, she has a way with music and I’m so lucky to have a chance to work with her.”
I pulled into the long circular driveway in front of Selma Sanctuary and parked the car behind my father’s vintage Mercedes. It hadn’t moved since his death and Mother refused to sell it or let us drive it.
“She’s going to have to let us drive it now,” Holly said as if reading my thoughts.
“There’s plenty she’ll have to do now,” I countered.
We got out of the car and went inside the house.
“Mother!”Holly singsonged. “Oh, Mother!”
“In here,” she called from the drawing room.
We found her seated in her recliner, a thick blanket over her lap. Beside her on a small round table was a cup of steaming tea. In the far corner, her wheelchair was parked.
“Oh, Mother,” Holly chanted as she went to her, bent down and kissed her forehead. “We have such wonderful news.”
“We’re keeping Selma Sanctuary?”Mother said, her face lighting up.
“Well, no. Not quite.”
“Then, there’s nothing good you can tell me,” she said, her tone bitter and her eyes reverting to the pained expression she constantly had since Father’s passing.
“Mother,” I said gently as I sat on the sofa next to her recliner. I reached for her hand. “I know it’s not quite the news you would like, but we do have good news. Holly and I have both secured jobs in an upcoming movie production. I’ll be handling the finances while Holly will be singing in the movie.”
Mother nodded, but wasn’t as impressed as I would have hoped. “That still doesn’t put a roof over our heads. That thieving Baker, whoever he is, is going to take our home right out from under us.”
“I’m saddened by the loss of this house as well, Mother,” I said. “But home is wherever we decide to make it.”
“Oh,” Holly let out, her eyes rolling up to the ceiling. “Please spare us the love and family make a home drivel. This is our home. Up those stairs is my bedroom and in that bedroom is my bed and that bed is covered with my sheets, and I love that room...my room.My closet is filled with my favorite clothes and my dresser drawers overflow with my delicate under things.”
“Fine,” I said with pragmatic decisiveness. I stood up and looked at them. “You can love this house and all its belongings as much as you want, but the truth of the matter is that we must leave...and this within the next fourteen days. We must leave whether we like it or not, and that is that. Now... I’ve already begun to pack some of my personal belongings, and I suggest you do the same.” I looked at my mother. “I would be more than happy to go up to your quarters and help you pack everything.”
