Page 77 of What Remains True
“It is. I put a little plastic bag on a stick next to the plant to keep the birds away. You were so right about the raised bed. It wouldn’t be nearly as pleasant if I was all bent over on my knees on the hard ground. I find it really relaxing standing out on the back patio, tending to the plants in the SSFresh Veggies.”
“You named the boat? That’s great.” Tara walked over and grabbed a ladder. “The curtains I want to put up are in here. You haven’t seen the progress I’ve made. A home just doesn’t feel like a home until the kitchen is complete.”
Merry Anna followed along. The original cabinet boxes had been painted a navy blue, and new fronts in a beautiful wooden tone looked striking against that dark backdrop. All the light fixtures had been updated, as had the cabinet hardware.
“It looks like something out of a decorating magazine.”
“It came together so nicely. No one would ever believe the rest of the house is in such a mess, would they?” Tara looked pleased.
“No, they wouldn’t.Ican hardly believe it.”
“This is exactly why I like to start with the kitchen to set the tone.” Tara opened a box and pulled out curtains in a lovely toile. “These are going to really bring things together.”
Merry Anna got on the four-foot stepladder by the window, and Tara climbed up on the other one and began pulling the curtain onto the heavy wooden rods. The tab-top panels hung splendidly, and it didn’t take long to get them all on.
“Thank you so much for the help,” Tara said. “It’s always much easier with a friend.”
“You’re welcome.”
“So, are you worried?”
“About what?”
“Zan?”
Merry Anna sighed. It was hard to keep anything from Tara. She had the interrogation skills of a lawyer. “Look, he doesn’t even really know what the whole story is yet. An old girlfriend showed up saying Zan was his daughter. He took a paternity test. He hoped he’d get the results back Friday, but they haven’t come yet.”
“Does that worry you?”
“I don’t know. Maybe a little. I guess it’s just such uncharted territory for me. I don’t know anything about kids.”
“He probably doesn’t either. New parents don’t. Everyone starts at ground zero.”
“I guess that’s true. She’s such a sweet little girl, but I don’t want to get attached.”
“Well, don’t hold back. Even if this is short-term, sometimes we’re tapped to be an angel for a season to someone. You’re needed. You can make a difference, Merry Anna.” Her eyes seemed to twinkle. “It’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss out on.”
Merry Anna imagined Tara as sort of an angel to her who was speaking from experience. It didn’t make the complicated situation any easier, though. “I don’t want to be taken advantage of either.”
Tara leaned back. “That’s your ex-husband baggage talking right there. Adam is not Kevin. You do what’s right in your heart for the right reason, and no one can ever take advantage of you. You trust that.”
Merry Anna nodded. It was hard to trust that about herself, but she was trying. “What if we got serious? Being a stepmother is harder than being a mom. You’re raising a child under someone else’s rules. That can be tough.”
“Or it can be a blessing.” Tara reached over and held MerryAnna’s hands. “I can see the worry. Don’t be afraid, Merry Anna. You are falling in love. Put your arms out, close your eyes, and just glide.”
“That sounds so beautiful.” Merry Anna laughed. “And scary. Did I mention I have a fear of heights?”
Tara shook her head. “Soar over the water, then, if that’ll make you feel better.”
“And water,” Merry Anna admitted. “I’m scared to death of water. I don’t even know how to swim.”
Tara blinked slowly. Then, with a cluck of her tongue, she added, “Have I told you that you can be a real downer sometimes?”
“Maybe just a little while ago. Party pooper is the same thing, right?”
“Yeah. We’ll work on that.” Tara let out a sigh. “Thanks for helping me hang the curtains. Why don’t you get on home and tend to our tomatoes?”
“I was going to say that.” Merry Anna walked over and gave Tara a hug. “I’m so glad we’re friends. Thank you for everything.”
