BEULAH FACED A stack of mending that piled up over the summer while she was laid up with her knee operation. If she was going to hem tablecloths for Mary Beth’s reception, she needed to get caught up. And as the old green Singer sewing machine whirred away, she had plenty of time to think.
Beulah regretted always being so hard on her granddaughter. It was a thing she had struggled with from day one, being too hard on her own child, Jo Anne. All it had done was drive Jo Anne straight into the arms of slick-talking Eddie Taylor and running off to Jellico for a quick marriage. There had to be boundaries, and didn’t boundaries mean love? It was how she had been raised, and how she had tried to raise Jo Anne and Annie.
Annie was taking the two-week deadline seriously and had the blurry eyes and dark circles this morning to show for it. If her granddaughter was committed to finding a way to save the old house, well, it suited her just fine. Tearing it down was a last resort; but the value of the architectural salvage was tempting. Big business, apparently, with folks wanting a piece of history in their homes, so much so they spend hard-earned money.
Growing up in the aftermath of the Depression made Beulah frugal. It was a hard habit to break, and one she wasn’t sure should be broken. Money was hard to come by and it could be gone in a flash. Those hard times marked her, even though their family had it much better than some people.
Back in those days it was common for people to stop at the house and ask for food. Beulah’s mother never turned anybody away and sometimes gave folks eggs or garden produce, especially if they had children. Sometimes it was a single traveler. Other times it was a family. Whoever they were, no one went away hungry. Her mother prepared a hot meal and served them on the porch. It was not like out West with the drought and the dust bowl, but they were hard times. To this day, Beulah could still see the face of a little girl her own age in a torn dress, barefoot, with large brown eyes looking with wonder at their abundant garden. They went right into World War II when gas and tires were rationed along with groceries.
But could money be valued too much? Over a relationship or family heritage?
The house was all she had left of a mother, father, and brother long in their graves. And Annie was right about one thing: once it was gone, it could never be brought back.
There were the steers Joe was just about to sell for her. With beef prices so good now, it would likely be a much larger check than she had anticipated. Beulah prayed for wisdom while she pulled the hem out of an old dress. She most wanted to be a faithful steward.
***
After the supper dishes were cleared away, Annie brought out her papers and placed them carefully on the table.
“I’d like to show you what I’ve found so far and present a proposal for your consideration.”
“Sounds quite formal,” Beulah said, her hands folded on the table. “I’m ready.”
“If we restore the house according to certain criteria, which Jerry Baker knows and has included in his bid, then you’ll receive approximately this much in credits on your taxes.”
Annie pointed to a number on a piece of paper she turned toward Beulah. “Of course, the exact number depends on whether it’s federal or state, when we get the paperwork submitted, and how much they allow us. This is a conservative estimate.”
Annie pulled out another sheet of paper. “Here’s Jerry’s bid. It’s lower than the others and I had him break it down into phases. Phase one includes everything needed to close the house up: roof, glass repair, new windows, and stonework. The insurance money more than covers these things, with some extra to help repair the interior woodwork.”
Beulah had made her decision and waited patiently for Annie to explain her idea.
“What’s not known are the grant possibilities. There’re organizations that might consider us if we can prove certain things of historical significance about the house. Unfortunately, we won’t know about that until after the first of the year. Since we can’t count on something that is unknown, my proposal is to take the insurance money and do all the repairs we can do now. I’ll continue to work on the grants. Jake and I will contribute our labor to cut costs wherever we can. I’ll start paying rent here this month. Hopefully, I’ll have a job soon anyway. That money will offset some of the rental income you were getting from the house.”
“You’re already buying groceries,” Beulah protested. “When you get a job, you can start paying rent.”
“Fair enough. Wait! You agree with everything?”
“Agreed.”
Annie nearly came across the table to hug her, making her eyes fill with tears. Annie held onto her a long time and Beulah was glad she had time enough to blink back the moisture. It wouldn’t do for Annie to see her soften too much.