Denise stood at the living-room window, watching as Greg pulled out of their yard. Her husband had been in such a hurry to get to the office today he hadn’t even taken the time to eat breakfast.
She glanced at the stately grandfather clock across the room, gonging on the half hour. In a few minutes it would be time to take Kassidy to her friend’s house for the day. After she dropped her off, Denise would be hosting a Realtors’ open house for a new listing. If this home sold at the price it was listed for, she could make upwards of thirty thousand dollars.
Better not get my hopes up too high, at least not yet, she reasoned. Still, given that it was Friday, Denise hoped they’d have something to celebrate soon.
After pulling her sleeve back to check the time on her diamond-studded wristwatch, Denise turned and was about to call her daughter down from upstairs, when Kassidy burst into the room.
“Just look at my blouse, Mom. Those stains you said would come out are set in for good. I even tried scrubbing the blouse when I found it on the floor of my closet this morning, but it didn’t do any good.” Frowning, Kassidy held out the item in question. “It’s ruined, and now I’ll have to throw it away.”
Denise’s gaze flicked upwards. “If you had put it in the laundry when we got home from the cooking class last week, like I told you to, I most likely could have gotten the stain out.” She swept her hands impatiently. “I don’t have time to debate this with you. We have to go right now or I’m going to be late for my open house.”
Kassidy stomped her foot. “Mom, you’re not listening to me—my blouse is ruined.”
“Yes, I heard you—loud and clear. But there is nothing I can do about it, so get your things and let’s go.”
“I need a new blouse, and I want one today.” With an angry-looking scowl, Kassidy tossed the blouse on the floor, then grabbed her backpack and stomped out the door.
I think Greg and I created a monster by allowing our daughter to get away with her temper tantrums since she was a little girl. Denise picked up her purse and followed. There would have been a day she’d have given in to her daughter’s demands, but not anymore. Until Kassidy learned how to ask for things nicely, she would not be getting anything new other than necessities.
“I sure like this weather we’re having,” Darren commented as he walked beside Ellen on the trail leading to the lake he’d chosen for fishing today. Tall trees—a mix of evergreens and hardwoods—shaded the pathway, while a warm breeze tickled Darren’s bare arms. He wasn’t sure if it was the weather or strolling down the footpath this close to Ellen that seemed to make his senses tingle.
She looked over at him and smiled. “You’re right. We couldn’t ask for a better day.” Ellen turned and called over her shoulder, “Hurry up, Becky. You’re falling behind.”
Darren paused. “Maybe we’re walking too fast.”
Ellen shook her head. “She’s been dawdling since we got out of the car.”
“Not Jeremy.” Darren pointed ahead. “He acts like he’s rushing to a fire or something.” He chuckled and started walking again. “My boy’s always enjoyed going fishing with me. I’m sure that’s why he’s running ahead. Probably thinks if he gets to the lake first he’ll catch the most, or biggest, fish.”
“Maybe he will.” Ellen stopped walking and looked at her daughter again. Becky had almost caught up to them, but the grim twist to her mouth let Darren know she was anything but happy to be here today. Ellen had said previously that Becky enjoyed fishing and hiking, so he figured her lack of enthusiasm might be because of him or Jeremy. Does Becky feel threatened by my interest in her mother? Or is it simply that she doesn’t like my son very much? Either way, Darren was determined to win the girl over, because he definitely liked Becky’s mother. Maybe things would go better once they reached the lake.
When they arrived at the spot where Darren suggested they set up, Ellen couldn’t believe how beautiful it was. The area felt like some secret place, undiscovered by anyone but them. Wild grass grew up to the water’s edge, with trees surrounding the sides and far end of the lake. All the way around, the body of water looked promising to fish from its bank.
“It’s so pretty here.” Ellen glanced over at Darren as she set the picnic basket down, along with the duffle bag that held the blanket. “Do you and Jeremy come here often?”
“As much as we can. We’ve been to other places, but we like it here best.” Darren pointed to a trash can several feet away. “Other people fish here, too, because there’s usually evidence in the can. But we always seem to time it right and usually have this spot all to ourselves.”
Darren walked over to a level area under the shade of a tree. “How about we spread your blanket out here for later, when we have lunch?”
“Sure, this looks like a good place.” Ellen looked toward the water again, taking in the alluring reflection from the sun and clouds overhead.
“I can tell you this. Jeremy and I have pulled some good-sized fish out of this lake.”
“Regardless if I catch a fish or not, it’s just nice being here.” Humming, Ellen rolled her shoulders forward. Up above, a robin sang its cheery melody, and a frog began croaking.
“I know exactly what you mean.” Darren took the fishing rods over to a log near the water, then came back to get his tackle box.
Unfolding the large blanket she’d purchased a few years ago at a yard sale, Ellen glanced over at her daughter. Tight-lipped, Becky stood with her arms folded. Ellen was about to suggest that her daughter grab the other end of the blanket, to help her spread it out over the grass, when Jeremy ran up to Becky. “Do you know how to skip stones over the water?” Jeremy held a few flat stones in his hand.
“Course I do.” Becky put her hands on her hips, giving him quite the stare.
“Well then, come on. Let’s see who can make one go the farthest.” Jeremy handed Becky a few stones, and off to the water’s edge they both ran.
“Here, let me help you, Ellen.” Darren reached down and took the other end of the blanket. After they had it spread on the ground, they got a few things out of the basket.
“Kids. Always trying to outdo each other.” Darren chuckled, looking over his shoulder at Becky and Jeremy. Their stones skimmed over the water’s surface before disappearing.
“I hope they don’t scare the fish.” Ellen knelt on the blanket to get a few snack bags out.
“Nah, Jeremy skips rocks every time we come here, and it never seems to bother them.”
Once Ellen made some snacks available, Darren reached his hand out to help her up. “Come on, let’s do some fishing.”
It was a peaceful morning, and while Darren and Ellen sat on the log, talking and keeping an eye on the red-and-white bobbers floating in the middle of the lake, her body relaxed. Jeremy and Becky were fishing, yards apart, over on the bank toward the right. Neither of them wanted to use a bobber, but preferred to throw their line out, then slowly reel it back in. It was easy to see they were competing again, only this time with casting their fishing lines.
“I hope if anyone catches some fish, it’s the kids.” Ellen smiled. “Right now, at least, they seem to be tolerating each other.”
“Yeah, kids can be funny—one trying to upstage the other.” Darren looked out where his line went into the water. “So far, I haven’t gotten any bites.”
“Don’t feel bad. I haven’t either.” Ellen chuckled. “But who cares?”
Just when all seemed content, Jeremy yelled, “I got one!”
“So did I!” Becky squealed a few seconds later.
“Bet mine’s bigger than yours.” Jeremy struggled, reeling his line in until it revealed a nice trout flopping on the end.
Ellen watched as Becky pulled her fish in next. “Oh, she got a nice one too.”
Darren and Ellen got up to check out the fish. Jeremy walked over to Becky, proudly holding up his catch. Becky did the same, placing hers right next to his.
“Looks like a tie to me.” After eyeing the trout, Darren picked up a stick and held it next to his son’s fish, then did the same to Becky’s. “Now, how about that? They are exactly the same length.”
Ellen smiled as Darren took the fish off their hooks, put them on a stringer, and set them back into the water along the shoreline.
“I’m glad they each got a trout, but now I’ll bet they’ll both try for a bigger one.” She pointed as Becky and Jeremy ran back to their fishing spots.
Darren strolled back to the log, while Ellen continued to watch their children. Jeremy cast his line out. Becky put more bait on the end of the hook and extended her arm back to cast. What looked to be a good fling of her line, ended up getting snagged on a shrub behind where she stood.
“Oh great! My line is tangled.” Becky groaned.
“Here, let me help you.” Jeremy offered, setting his fishing pole down.
Ellen walked over to Darren, raising her eyebrows. “Will you look at those two?”
“Jeremy’s a good kid. Sometimes it just takes him awhile to warm up to someone.” Darren looked fondly at his son as he helped Becky free up her line.
Ellen recognized the proud feeling Darren had for Jeremy, for she felt the same about Becky. “Looks to me like we are both fortunate parents.”
“You’ve got that right.” Darren’s lips parted slightly as he moistened them with his tongue. “Mind if ask you a personal question?”
“No, not at all.”
“How long have you been a single mom?”
“Well…”
He pulled his fingers down the side of his face. “Guess what I really wanted to ask is, are you a widow or a divorcee?”
“I’m neither.” Ellen briefly explained how she’d adopted Becky, leaving out the part about not telling her daughter until recently. “How about you?” she asked. “I assume you were once married.”
“Yes, my wife died from a brain tumor two years ago.” Darren pressed a fist against his chest. “Losing Caroline was difficult for me, as well as Jeremy.” He paused, staring vacantly across the lake. “I do my best with Jeremy, but my son needs his mother.”
Ellen reached out and touched his arm. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thanks. I’m doing better, but there are still times when I think about Caroline and all we had.”
“While I’ve never lost a mate, I struggled with depression after my grandma died. We were very close, and I still miss her.”
“Loss of any sort is hard, but life goes on, and all anyone can do is keep pressing forward and try to focus on the good things—like those two.” Darren pointed to Becky, who had made a successful cast now that her line had been untangled. Jeremy stood a little closer to Becky than before, and a few giggles erupted as they talked.
Ellen couldn’t help hearing part of the kids’ conversation, and was surprised when her daughter said, “Thank you, Jeremy, for untangling my line.”
“You’re welcome.” Jeremy grinned, although he kept his focus on the water.
This day was turning out better than she imagined. Ellen felt comfortable around Darren as they opened up to each other and also discovered some more things they had in common. Ellen couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so lighthearted. She wondered if Darren might ask to see her again, and hoped if he did that Becky and Jeremy would continue to get along.
Velma’s fingers clenched around her coffee mug so tightly that her veins protruded. Soon after she and the children had eaten breakfast this morning, she’d found a note on her desk in the kitchen. Reading it for the second time, before starting lunch, her nose burned with unshed tears.
Dear Mama,
I’m sure you won’t like this, but I’m running away with Kenny. In two weeks I’ll be eighteen, and we’re gonna get married.
Don’t worry about me. Kenny and I will both get jobs, so we’ll be fine. Once we’re settled, I’ll send you our address and phone number. I love you, Mama, and I hope you and Papa will forgive me for doin’ this. I love Kenny and wanna be with him.
Love,
Bobbie Sue
Velma let go of her mug and slammed her fist on the table. “I knew that snake was up to no good when he showed up here two days ago. Shoulda sent him packin’ like I wanted to do.”
“What’s going on, Mama?” Peggy Ann asked when she and Eddie entered the room. “Who were you talkin’ to?”
“Myself. I was talking to myself.”
Eddie glanced around, as if looking for answers. “How come?”
“Because I’m upset.” Velma picked up the note and waved it about. “Found this awhile ago, and I just finished reading it again.”
Peggy Ann tipped her head. “What is it?”
“It’s from your big sister. She ran off with Kenny Carmichael sometime during the night.” Velma swallowed hard. “And ya may as well know, there’s a good chance we’ll never see her again.”
“What?” Peggy Ann lowered her head and started to wail.
Eddie scrunched up his nose. “Just wait till Papa gets home. Bet he’ll go after Kenny and punch him in the nose.”
The words were no more than out of his mouth when Velma heard the roar of an engine. Rising from the table, she went to the kitchen window and peered out. Sure enough, Hank’s rig had pulled into the yard.
“Oh, great.” Velma blew out a quick breath and turned to face her children. “Not a word to your dad about Bobbie Sue. Understood?”
Peggy Ann’s forehead wrinkled. “How come, Mama? Papa’s gonna know somethin’ ain’t right when he asks where she is.”
“I realize that. I just need to be the one to tell him. So when he comes inside, you can both say hello, and then I want you to go to your rooms till I call ya for lunch.”
“Okay, we’ll zip our lips.” Eddie bumped his sister’s arm. “Right, Peggy Ann?”
She pushed him away. “You’re not my boss, so don’t be tellin’ me what to do.”
“I wasn’t.”
“Uh-huh.”
Velma stepped between them. “That’s enough, you two. Ya don’t want to be bickering when your dad comes in, now, do you?”
Both children shook their heads.
A few minutes later, Hank entered the house and came into the kitchen. “Hey, how’s my little brood?” He leaned over and patted Eddie’s head, then scooped Peggy Ann into his arms. “Have you two been good for your mama while I was gone?”
“Yes, Papa.” Peggy Ann wrapped her arms around his neck and gave it a squeeze.
“How about you, Son?” Hank looked down at their boy.
“I’ve been good too.” Eddie looked up at Velma. “Right, Mama?”
She nodded. “Now, why don’t you and your sister skedaddle to your rooms? I’ll call ya when it’s time to eat.”
Hank set Peggy Ann down, and she scurried out of the kitchen behind her brother.
“Would ya like a cup of coffee?” Velma asked, moving across the room to the stove.
“Sure.” He followed Velma and placed a sloppy kiss on her cheek. She took it to mean he wasn’t angry with her anymore.
After she’d poured coffee into his mug and handed it to him, Velma suggested they take a seat at the table.
“Aren’t you gonna fix me some lunch?” Hank asked.
“I will shortly. But first, we need to talk.”
Turning his head, he cleared his throat. “If it’s about the car…”
“No, it’s not the car. It’s Bobbie Sue.”
“Where is that girl anyway? Is she at work? Did Bobbie Sue find another job while I was gone?”
“No.” Velma pulled out a chair and sat.
Hank took the seat across from her. “What’s this about? Do those creases in your forehead mean somethin’ is wrong?”
“Afraid so.” Velma took in a gulp of air and quickly relayed how their daughter had run off with Kenny and left a note.
Hank’s nostrils flared, and sweat beaded on his forehead. “Why that no good so and so.” He stood and pushed back his chair with such force it toppled over. “I’m gonna get back in my rig and go lookin’ for Bobbie Sue. And when I find that girl, I’ll drag her right back home.”
Velma lifted her hands. “What good would that do? Bobbie Sue will be eighteen in two weeks, and then she can do whatever she pleases.”
Hank shuffled back a few steps. “Oh, that’s right. I’d forgotten her birthday was comin’ up soon.”
“I don’t like this any better than you do, Hank, but I think it’s best we leave well enough alone. Hopefully, our daughter will smarten up and come home on her own. She’ll soon find out how rough it is out there in the real world with no support from her family.”
Squinting, Hank rubbed the back of his neck. “If she takes after her older brother, we won’t see any sign of her again.”
Moaning, Velma held both hands tightly against her body to keep from shaking. Hank’s final words had pierced her soul. If she was honest with herself, Velma would have to admit that she may never see Bobbie Sue or Clem again. The mere thought of it took away any appetite she may have had this morning. But life didn’t stop because they’d been thrown another curve ball. For the sake of her two younger children, she’d fix lunch and somehow muddle through the rest of the day.