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By the time she reached her apartment after a quick stop for packing boxes, she had mentally packed and stored all of her things. She was thankful Olivia was letting her store a lot her stuff in the attic, especially since she didn’t know how much her new little home would hold and she knew she was a terrible clothes horse. Thinking of her new home reminded her that somewhere along I-75, she decided to call her boss, Mr. Toledo. She hoped it would infuriate him as much as it did her when he called her princess.
She changed into yoga pants and a tank top before she started packing up her whole life. She didn’t have anything that was really big, just knick-knacks and clothing for the most part. I don’t want to give Mr. Toledo anymore ammo to use against me, so I’m only taking my functional summer things with a couple outfits for church, a few favorite books, teaching supplies I’ll need for the children, along with some of my cooking essentials. I’ll store the rest in Olivia’s attic. Hopefully in a few hours, I’ll be ready to move to Cobb County.
Three hours later, Hillary decided she was done and could load the car with the few boxes and suitcases she was taking. She looked at the clock to see it was almost seven, I need to hurry. As she was stacking her things in the hallway, she heard her phone ring, and spent a few frantic minutes searching for where she laid it in the boxed-up mess of her life. Spying it under some tape and labels, she grabbed it, but froze when she saw who was calling her. Mother.
“Oh God, I can’t tell her what’s happened. I’m not even sure what she’ll do, but it won’t be good.” Thinking of Luke, she cringed knowing her mother wouldn’t approve of him as a boss, not with his five o’clock shadow, and long-haired look. Oh, Lord.
The phone stopped ringing, and she knew she had to call back quickly or her mother would be over here and would see the packing boxes which would be very bad. Pausing, she softly prayed, “Lord can You help me please? If You really want me to move and help these kids You have to deal with my mother. We both know she can’t find out.”
Unsure what would happen, she hit call back on her phone and waited. A few seconds later, her mother picked up. “Hillary, where have you been? I drove by your apartment this afternoon and you weren’t there.”
Please Lord, help me. “I ran a few errands this afternoon Mother. With it being the last week of school, I haven’t been able to grocery shop like I usually do.”
"Hillary, I told you Anita would pick up your groceries when she goes shopping on Wednesdays, if you would only give her your list.”
Hiding her frustration, Hillary answered, “Mother, I like grocery shopping, and when I try a new recipe I like to pick out the ingredients myself.”
Lauren was still unsure how her daughter inherited a love of cooking. She personally hated the kitchen and was grateful her status in life allowed her to have a cook/housekeeper to take care of the daily necessities.
“When I saw you this morning at church, you were a bit overdressed for a rainy Sunday. Your dove grey suit with pumps? Hillary, what were you thinking? I taught you better, you should have worn something more suitable. The lovely sweater set I bought you a few months ago would have been smarter. Plus, the new young man in the choir would have seen it and I think he would have like you in it better. Did you introduce yourself to him today like I told you to do last week?”
“No, I didn’t have a chance this morning. I helped Grace clean up after class and didn’t make it down in time to speak to anyone.” Which was the purpose of helping Grace clean up. She really had no desire to introduce herself to one more gentleman her mother approved of, but it was easier to evade than confront. Frowning she asked herself, then why did I confront Mr. Toledo? It isn’t my style, and Lord knows I’ve had years of practice. “Why were you calling me to find out where I was?”
“Hillary, that was rude. I was calling to check up on you and tell you I just got off the phone with your Great Aunt Nancy. She has fallen over that stupid dog of hers and broke her leg and right arm. I told her that would happen one day. Apparently, it’s a bad break and she will be immobile six to eight weeks, at least.” Heaving a long sigh, she said, “Now, I’m flying out to Arizona to take care of her until at least August.”
“Oh, my gosh!” Dancing around a pile of boxes, Hillary thought, Really Lord? I can’t believe this is happening. I’m going to get to take care of those precious little ones.
“Hillary, your language today is deplorable. What has gotten into you? I’ve always said you should teach at a private school. Public school exposes you to too much riff raff.”
Tears filled her eyes, “Mother, I like the school I teach at.” Or at least I did. Contrite, she said quietly, “I’m sorry. When do you leave for Arizona?”
“I have a flight tomorrow morning at eight, it was the earliest I could get. The doctors won’t release your aunt until someone is there to be with her. I don’t know why a nurse couldn’t stay with her. The medical system is such a mess.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“While I’m gone, I want you to make sure you meet this new young man. I’m told he is in computer programming and they make good money. A good singing voice doesn’t hurt, either. Maybe you should join the choir, too.”
“I promise Mother, the next time I see him I will say hello.” I’m glad she can’t see me smile.
“Say more than hello. You need to offer to cook dinner, I’m sure he’d love one of your home cooked meals. That’s the only reason I let you take all of those cooking classes instead of the ballet I wanted you to continue in high school. It did make more sense for you to be able to cook than being able to dance Swan Lake to catch a husband.”
Refusing to touch this old topic, Hillary knew her mother wouldn’t listen to reason about her love of cooking, baking, and cake decorating. She didn’t want to do it on a grand scale but loved to cook in the kitchen. It was relaxing and living with her mother until she was twenty-one, she needed a release. Cooking became that for her. “Let me know when your flight gets in and tell Great Aunt Nancy I love her and will be praying for a speedy recovery.”
“I will dear. Your father is taking me to the airport and I’ll keep you up to date on Nancy’s progress.”
“Have a safe trip, Mother.”
“Don’t forget about that young man. I’d love it if you had a date or two with him before I got back. Then we could invite him over for a family dinner.”
After Hillary hung up, she let out a huge sigh, grateful her mother wouldn’t be able to set her up with every eligible bachelor she felt would make a good son-in-law. A few months ago, her mother had tried setting her up with Cole West, the youth minister at church. That turned into a disaster not only because she thought of Cole as a brother, but he was already in love with Viviane Stanton-Mays, his high school sweetheart. Her mother meddled in their relationship and almost kept them apart, but Viviane’s grandmother was working hard to get them together by fibbing about her health. Thankfully things worked out, and the two were to be married this September.
Glancing at the clock she realized it was much later than she wanted. She made several trips to the car and went to place her keys under Olivia’s door. Her former landlady had left to help Faith pack a few things, and they had already said goodbye. Hillary hadn’t told the woman where she was moving, afraid it would get back to her mother, and thankfully Olivia was so busy moving her daughter home she didn’t ask.
After getting in her car, she called Mr. Toledo to let him know she was on her way. He answered after the first ring with a gruff, “Hello.”
“Mr. Toledo, it’s Hillary. I wanted to let you know I’m on my way.”
“It’s too late to see the kids tonight,” he barked. “I put them to bed a long time ago. It’s almost nine.”
His manners hadn’t improved and it was obvious he was upset, but she did just pack up her entire life in twenty-four hours. “I understand that and can meet them in the morning.”
Her appeasing tone only seemed to make him madder. “Fine, you know the address. I’ll see you when you get here and I can give you the grand tour.”
He hung before she could reply. Oh Lord, what have I gotten myself into?