Page 36 of Dangerous Secrets
Antonia specialized in latemid-century furniture and goods, mostly from the 50s to the 70s.Over the speakers Delaney heard a full-throated chorus singingabout the age of Aquarius.
Album covers from bands like JeffersonAirplane and Heart were displayed on a glass-topped coffee tableset in front of a cabinet TV.Delaney loved browsing through thestore, especially the vintage clothing selection that includedeverything from tie-dyed blouses to flower-powerdresses.
“Oh, Delaney, it’syou.”
Antonia wore what she sold, and todayshe showcased a flowy dress matched with beaded bracelets andearrings in Native American designs.With her long dark hairstreaked with gray, she looked like a hippie mom, and since she wasall about peace and love, the look was appropriate.
She wrapped Delaney in a hug that hadher holding on, eyes closed, and breathing in Antonia’s floralscent.Mateo’s mom had always treated his friends like they wereher own children, with unconditional love and open arms.
She released Delaney but held onto herhands to study her, warm eyes crinkling at the corners as shesmiled.“Don’t you look cute and fresh with your sleeveless top anddenim shorts.I bet it feels nice to have a day where you’re notwearing work boots and dungarees.”
“It does.How’s thewrist?”Delaney asked.She wanted to know, but also sought toforestall the questions she knew were coming.
“Recovered.I have anappointment Monday, and hopefully that cute Doctor Delicious willgive me the all-clear and I can ditch this thing.”She waved hersplint-immobilized wrist.“It slows me down.”
“DoctorDelicious?”
“I heard the X-ray techcalling him that when she and a nurse were talking.He’s new intown, and let me tell you, they aren’t wrong.He is delicious.Alittle like George Clooney when he was on that medical show acouple decades back.
“If I were your age andnot married I’d take myself to see him every time I stubbed mytoe.”She gave Delaney her mom look, the one that said she knewexactly what was going on in her head.“But Walker’s back so a hotdoctor won’t hold any appeal for you other than visual eyecandy.”
Before Delaney could react, Antoniawent on, “Anyway, I’ll see him Monday and hope he says my bones aregood as new.I’ll have to listen to another lecture about notclimbing ladders at my age.I’m sixty-four, not a hundred and four,and the doctor looks to be all of thirty-four, so what does heknow?”She shook her head with a laugh.“Enough of that.I want toknow how you’re doing.You must be missing James somethingfierce.”
“I’m fine.”Antoniacontinued holding her hands, waiting her out until Delaney slumpedher shoulders.“Okay, not all the way fine.I miss him so much.Ikeep thinking I’ll see him in the orchard with his pruners or inhis workshop building something amazing.It’s like losing him allover again when I realize I’ll never see him again and that he’sreally gone.”
“He’s not gone, honey, notas long as he’s in your heart.Mateo’s dad died four years ago andI still talk to him every day.I can do that because he’s in myheart.James is in your heart, and as long as he is, he’ll nevertruly be gone.”Antonia gave her hands another squeeze beforeletting go.“And Clara?I called her the other day.I asked how shewas getting on, but you know your gran, she wouldn’t tell me if shewere at death’s door.I’m asking you because I know you’ll tell mestraight, how’s she holding up?”
“She doesn’t share a lotwith me either, but she seems to be okay.She misses James too, butshe’s busying herself getting ready for her cruise.I’m glad shehas something to look forward to.She and DeeDee drove toSacramento today to shop for clothes.I can’t believe they’ll begone five months.”
“It’ll be good for her.”Antonia gave Delaney a considering look.“Walker came by.Hebrought me that beautiful bouquet because he says it made him thinkof me.”She motioned to the counter where a bright bouquet ofsunflowers in varying shades of yellow and orange sat in a greenglass vase.“He does things that just grab at my heart, you know?Did you know he called when my Carlos was in the hospital?He wasin Canada somewhere with no cell service, but he’d found a payphone so he could call.We all talked for an hour.I love that boylike my own.I’m so glad he’s finally come home where he belongs.”She sniffed and gave her eyes a quick swipe.“Okay, enough of that.Let’s focus on something positive so I don’t end up a sobbing pileof mush.What brings you to town today?”
Delaney drew a flyer from her bag.“Can I post this in your window?We open for berry season weekafter next so I’m getting the word out.I’m hoping we’ll have agood year.”
“Your boysenberries arethe best, and people love visiting your farm.Go ahead and put aflyer in the window.If you have extras, leave them on the checkoutcounter and I’ll give them to folks with their receipt when theymake a purchase.”
“Oh, that’s an awesomeidea.Let me print up some half-size flyers for that and I’ll bringthem in.”
“Do that, because othershop owners would be happy to do the same.”
Antonia walked outside with her afterDelaney taped the flyer in the window.“Oh, look at those gorgeousclouds.We could get a thunderstorm.”
Indeed, thunderheads were buildingover the mountain peaks north of town, huge billowing cloudsstacked atop one another.
“Looks like.”They coulduse the rain, but thunderstorms also brought the danger oflightning sparked wildfires.It was still early in the year, butworry about fires was never far from the minds of people who livedin a mountain town surrounded by pine forests.
Remembering her other reason forstopping at Retro Days, Delaney tilted her head as she spoke.“Antonia, you were friends with Melanie Brennan’s mom before shemoved away, weren’t you?”
“Oh, yes.That poor woman,she had a tough time dealing with what happened to her daughter.Blamed herself, as one does when you can’t be with your child whenshe needs you most.We were friendly, but not close.”
“Have you heard fromher?”
Antonia’s bracelets jangled as shebrought up her hand to tap a finger on her chin.“Let’s see, itmust’ve been nearly a year ago she sent me an email.She said she’dmet a man who treated her well and they were getting married.Shedeserves some happy and I told her so.”
“Did she mentionMelanie?”
“As a matter of fact, shementioned she has a granddaughter.She didn’t say directly, but Igot the feeling Melanie was raising the little girl on herown.”
“Oh, wow.Melanie’s a mom.Would you mind giving me her mom’s email address?I haven’t heardfrom Melanie since she left town and I’d like to get in touch withher.”
