After another glorious night in Luke’s arms, Fancie stood in the shower beneath the hot spray. She had no doubt she and Luke could have a future. She questioned her determination to take things slow. That ship had pretty much sailed. She also questioned her own insistence that she needed to remain in Mississippi. Was this just one more form of taking flight, complicating what could be simple?
Fancie turned off the shower and wrapped in an oversized towel. She had time to consider these questions. They’d be together again in a little over a month. A whole month before she could settle into his arms again. When she said yes to Graham’s proposal, she had believed she loved him, that she was in love with him. She realized she didn’t have a clue what that meant. Not until now, with Luke. This was a part of what she wanted. Sure, she had career goals and there was that novel in process. She had no intention of setting those goals aside. But she had plans to marry and have a family and that desire didn’t change just because Graham broke off their engagement. If anything, the thought of having all of that with Luke was even more exciting. He’d be a wonderful father.
“Way to slow things down,” she mumbled as she brushed out her hair.
After breakfast, with the car packed and ready, Fancie leaned into Luke’s embrace. “I’ll see you in a few weeks.”
“Five to be exact. Call me when you two stop for the night, okay? And please don’t push too far after dark. You’ll still be driving in winter weather and roads can freeze up without warning.”
“I won’t take any chances, I promise.” She stretched up to kiss him.
He steadied his gaze on her eyes. “Would it scare you if I said I love you?”
She grinned and slid her arms tighter around his middle. “No. It doesn’t scare me. It makes me happy. I love you, too.”
After another deep kiss, she pulled away. “Okay, I need to get into the car now. Tell Kate I’m sorry I missed her, but I’m happy about her and Justin and I hope it works out for them.”
“I’ll tell her.” Luke walked around the car and held the door open for her. He leaned down and smiled at Chastity. “Nice seeing you again. You both be careful.”
“We will. See you in Mississippi next month.”
As soon as they were out of the driveway and a block from the house, Chastity turned to Fancie. “Oh, my God. Can you believe this?”
“Believe what?”
“He’s the guy. The one you’re meant to be with. Graham was never meant to be. Thank God he sensed that before the two of you made a huge mistake. Because you were blinded by heaven knows what.”
Fancie usually dismissed her cousin’s belief in the mystical workings of things, but this time she had to agree. “I think you’re right. Luke’s the guy.”
“You’re agreeing with me?”
“When you’re right, you’re right.” She held out her hand for a high-five from her cousin.
They made it to Harrisonburg, Virginia before stopping for the night. It was a little less than half way home. They’d get a good night’s sleep and start out earlier in the morning for the remaining eleven hour drive.
Settled into an inexpensive but clean motel room and having consumed every bite of the burgers and fries they picked up, Fancie and Chastity each stretched out on a bed.
“You do know that if Luke makes this trip every couple of months to see you, it’s proof of his undying love.”
“Speaking of Luke, I promised to call when we stopped for the night.”
Chastity sat up. “I’m going to take a shower, give you some privacy.”
Just the sound of Luke’s voice made her feel warm all over. “I’m going to miss you tonight,” she said.
“I’ll miss you, too. Fancie, we can make this work. It’ll just take a little time and some creative problem-solving.”
“I’ve been thinking about that, too.” She yawned and apologized. “I’m sorry. I’m exhausted from all the driving.”
“Get some sleep. Let me know when you’ve made it home. We’ll talk tomorrow night.”
“Okay. Luke?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For not putting all the expectation on me to move back to New Hampshire.”
“Why would I do that?”
“You wouldn’t. That’s my point. And I love you even more because of it. I’ll talk to you tomorrow night.”
~ ~ ~
Two hours into their drive the next morning, as she pulled into a rest area for a bathroom break, Fancie’s cell phone played her father’s ringtone. “Hi, Daddy.”
“Fancie, where are you girls?” His voice sounded tight, stressed.
“Half-way to Staunton, Virginia. We have about nine hours of driving ahead. Why?”
He paused. “It’s Bitsy. She had another stroke and she’s in ICU. The doctor suggested calling family. She’s a tough old bird, you know that. She’ll hold her own until you get here. Do not speed. She wouldn’t want you girls to take a risk. I probably shouldn’t have even told you until you got here.”
“Oh, Daddy, I’m so sorry.” Tears welled and blurred her vision. She put the car in park. “We just pulled over for a short break. But we’ll get there as soon as we can. I promise we’ll drive safely. You’ll call if there’s any other change?”
“I will.”
“Give Mama my love, too. Bye, Daddy.”
Chastity sat up and stretched. “Where are we? Who was on the phone?”
“That was Daddy. Grandma Bitsy had a heart attack and is in ICU. I needed a bathroom break. You should go, too, so we don’t have to make another stop soon.”
“Good idea.” Chastity unfastened her seatbelt. “Want me to drive?”
Fancie considered her cousin’s driving. “No, I’ll make better time.”
“You mean you’ll fly like a bat out of hell.”
“No, I won’t. But I’ll at least go the speed limit plus five.”
They loaded up on snacks and a few sodas from the vending machines. Chastity found a country music station on the radio and hummed along with a few songs. Fancie focused on driving. She set the speed for seventy-five, five miles over the seventy mile limit. Inwardly, she thanked God for the clear, sunny day and light traffic. As she drove, her mind drifted through a lifetime of memories of her grandmother. Bitsy had always been a constant in Fancie’s life—the one Fancie turned to for a scraped knee or a bruised heart. In her still lucid state when Fancie began dating Graham, Bitsy had cautioned her about falling too hard and too fast for the man. She described Graham as being, “a little too slick and self-assured for my liking. He reminds me of what we used to call a snake oil salesman.”
This was the one time Fancie had dismissed her grandmother’s wisdom and look where that had gotten her. She revisited the pain of watching her paternal grandmother become weaker and gradually slip away behind the curtain of dementia that clawed at her like an ominous swamp creature. But there were still those little moments of recognition when Bitsy was right there. Oh, how she would love Luke. It saddened Fancie to realize that her grandmother might die without knowing Fancie had found the man she was meant to be with. A man who was, in many ways, like Fancie’s grandfather in temperament and personality, now that she thought about it.
Chastity turned in her seat. “You do know you’re going eight-five.”
Fancie hadn’t realized she set her foot back on the gas pedal. She eased off. “I was thinking about Bitsy. The family just won’t be the same without her.”
“Sure won’t. Who’s going to remind us we can still be turned over a knee?” Chastity laughed. “She’s like a grandmother to me, too, and we’re not even blood relatives.”
Fancie smiled. “Yeah. You and Charity and I grew up like sisters and Bitsy always thought of you two has additional granddaughters. She was also the only one who would step in between me and Mama and Daddy when I wanted to do something they couldn’t agree on or approve of. Who’s going to be in my corner now?” Her voice trembled.
Chastity patted her leg. “We learned a lot from Bitsy. We can do that for each other. And, of course, you have Luke. Besides, we’re all grown up and making our own decisions now.”
“You find that illusion comforting? Try doing something stupid and see how fast your Daddy locks you in your room. We’re children as long as they’re with us.”
At their next bathroom stop, Fancie turned the keys over to Chastity. “You’re going to keep up the speed limit, right?”
Chastity rolled her eyes and took the keys. “I know how to drive. I’ll set the cruise control.”
Fancie buckled up and pulled her cell phone from her purse. “I’m going to call Luke and let him know what’s going on.”
Luke answered with, “Hey. How’s the driving?”
“Good. Traffic’s light. Look, I just called to let you know I got some bad news this morning.” She filled him in on her grandmother.
“I’m so sorry. Do you need me to fly down there? I can try to get someone to cover my classes for a few days.”
“No, but it means so much that you offered. We’ve known this was coming. You’re still never prepared.”
“I know. My granddad lingered for months after a massive stroke. It was both sad and a relief when he passed. I felt guilty about that for weeks.”
It struck her that she knew very little about Luke’s past and his family. “I feel badly that I haven’t spent more time with Bitsy because it was hard when she didn’t know who I was or seem to care that I was there. I guess we all have regrets at times like this.”
“She wouldn’t want you to feel that way, I’m sure. Let me know if there’s anything I can do, if you need me. And please drive carefully. Your family’s had quite enough tragedy lately. I love you.”
Warmth spread through her and she smiled, then whispered, “I love you, too.”
As she deposited the phone back into her purse, Chastity grinned. “I love you, too,” she echoed.
“Just drive.”
“I’m teasing, but I’m both happy for you and jealous of you. I wonder if Luke has a brother. Do you know?”
“I don’t think so. It occurred to me that I really know very little about Luke. He and I have a lot of talking to do.”
“You know the most important stuff about each other. You knew all about Graham’s family for five generations. What did that prove?”
“Point taken. Now set the speedometer and turn on the cruise control. Please.”
After a very quick fast food stop for dinner, Fancie took over the driving again. They made record time and arrived at the hospital a little past six. She found her family gathered in a waiting room near the ICU. She walked into her mother’s open arms. “Oh, Mama. I’m sorry I wasn’t here.”
“You’re here now. The doctor says we should limit visitors to no more than two at a time. Why don’t you go in for a few minutes? They waived the five minutes once an hour rule.”
“She’s dying?”
Her mother nodded, tears glistening on her cheeks. “She is, baby. But she hung on for you.”
“Where’s Daddy?”
“He just went to get a cup of coffee. He’s been here all night.”
Fancie took her cousin’s hand. “Come with me.” They walked into the dimly lit room. Her grandmother lay amid wires leading to beeping machines and looking so small. They separated and each stood at opposite sides of the bed. Fancie placed her hand over Bitsy’s. Her grandmother’s hand felt cold and Fancie’s breath caught until she saw the slight, slow rise of Bitsy’s chest. “I’m here, Grandma. Chastity and I are both here now.”
Across the bed, Chastity covered the old woman’s other hand.
Fancie gulped down tears and leaned to kiss her grandmother’s cheek. “I love you so much,” she whispered. “Thank you for everything you’ve given me.”
She straightened and, with her free hand, wiped away tears. Her grandmother’s eyelids fluttered and she looked up at Chastity. One side of her mouth pulled up slightly and then she turned her gaze to Fancie. Fancie could swear she felt a slight squeeze of her hand. Then Bitsy’s gaze shifted between them to something in the distance, beyond the foot of the bed. Her smile broadened and she moved her mouth, whispering, “Bug.”
“What are you saying Grandma?” Fancie asked.
“It sounded like she said, ‘Bug,’” Chastity said.
“There’s no bug.” Then it hit her and Fancie gasped and stared. “She said ‘Pug.’ That was Pawpaw’s nickname. He hated it, but she was the only one who could use it.”
Fancie clasped her grandmother’s hand. “Are you talking to Pawpaw?”
“Fancie, there’s nothing there,” Chastity said.
“Shh. She thinks he’s there.”
Again her grandmother said, “Bug.” She drew in a shuddering breath and, as she exhaled, her body seemed to deflate.
“Bitsy? Grandma?” Fancie’s voice trembled.
“She’s gone,” Chastity said, settling Bitsy’s lifeless hand on top of the sheet. “I’ll get the family and tell the nurse.”
Fancie continued to hold her grandmother’s hand, sobbing. “Bitsy, what will I do without you? What will we all do?”
Her father stood at the foot of the bed, his jaw working to hold back tears.
Her mother came to her side and put an arm around her. “Oh, honey. She’s at peace now.”
“She called Pawpaw’s nickname. I think she saw him here. I think he came for her.” Fancie turned into her mother’s embrace, mindful not to hold too tightly because of her Alicia’s still-healing injuries.
After each member of the family had said their goodbye to their beloved matriarch, everyone returned to Quail Hill. Fancie’s aunt went into the kitchen and a sandwich buffet miraculously appeared twenty minutes later. They sat and told stories that brought both laughter and tears. Fancie went to the kitchen for a glass of water. A glance at the clock showed it was nearing eleven. She took the back stairs up to her room and retrieved her cell phone.
“Luke?”
“Fancie. I’ve been worried.”
“Luke.” Her voice shook.
“What happened?”
“Grandma Bitsy died.”
“Oh, honey, I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks. Chastity and I got to the hospital just in time. I think she waited for us to say goodbye.”
“What are the arrangements?”
“I don’t know yet. We have to meet with the funeral director tomorrow morning.”
“What can I do?”
She shook her head as if he could see her. “Nothing. I just needed to hear your voice. I have to go. The whole family’s here. I call you tomorrow.”
“Okay. Get some rest.”
“Thanks. Goodnight.”
She ended the call, but clutched the phone in her hand as if it made it possible to hold the connection with Luke. Again she felt a deep sadness that her grandmother never got to meet this wonderful man and that he wouldn’t get to know Bitsy. She sniffled and grabbed a wad of tissues from the box on her nightstand.
Footsteps sounded in the hall and she looked up. Her brother stopped outside her door, hands shoved deep into his pockets. “You okay?” he asked.
“I’m sad. Nothing will ever be the same, you know?”
He walked over and sat beside her on the bed. “I know. She always told me how smart I was. I always just figured that’s what grandmothers had to say.”
Fancie clutched his hand, big and rough from work. “You know Bitsy. She never said anything she didn’t believe. You are smart, Tripp.”
He grinned. “Don’t go all mushy on me here. Who were you talking to?”
“Luke. I called to let him know Chas and I were home and to tell him about Bitsy.”
Tripp nodded. “So, you two have a thing now?”
“You could say that.”
“Good. I liked him.” Tripp stood and took in a deep breath. “I just needed a break. Guess we should both get back downstairs now.”
She stood wearily. “Guess so.” She caught his arm. “Hey, Tripp?”
“Yeah?”
“Bitsy didn’t have favorites. I know you thought that at times. In any case, you were her favorite grandson.”
He snorted. “I’m the only grandson.”
“There is that.” She punched his arm and swept past him. For a moment it felt as if they were kids again, competing to see who got down the stairs first.
The following morning, Fancie drove her parents to the Grayson Funeral Home to make arrangements for the funeral and then to the First Baptist Church to meet with Pastor Thomason.
“We haven’t had a chance to ask about your trip,” her mother said as they headed back to Quail Hill.
“It was fine.”
“How is Luke?”
“He’s fine.” Her mind flashed on the image of Luke and just how fine he could look. Heat spread from her center and she tightened her grip on the steering wheel.
“Can we stop by the florist? I want to order something special for Mama’s grave,” her father said.
In that statement, Fancie realized that her father was not only her father, but also a son who had lost his mother.
Fancie parked and rounded the car to help her mother out. The sweet smell of flowers inside the shop overwhelmed her and her stomach roiled. For some reason, flower shops always made her feel closed in and suffocating. She loved flowers, just not the overwhelming mixture of aromas they exuded in this environment.
She stood reading through greeting cards when the door opened behind her. She glanced up and into the face of Marianne Babbitt. The woman stopped and straightened to her full height like a dog trying to look more imposing than her opponent.
Rearranging her startled face, Marianne said, “I’m very sorry to hear about your grandmother.”
“Thank you.” Fancie went back to perusing the cards.
Marianne took a few steps, stopped and came back to stand in front of her. “I’m glad to see your parents are recovering from their injuries. Does that mean you’ll be leaving town again?”
Fancie stuffed the card she was reading back into the rack and drew herself to her full height, shoulders back. “No. It means my parents are recovering.”
“So…you’ll be staying in Columbus?”
“I haven’t decided yet.” Then realizing anything she said would be carried directly back to Graham, she added, “Luke and I haven’t discussed where we’ll eventually settle. Thank you for your concern, though.” She turned on her heel and joined her parents at the counter where James was paying for his order. Fancie fought a smile for a moment, just until she realized the news would spread like wildfire that Francine Hollensby was engaged to a Yankee. She wanted to kick herself but, well, that would just make her look crazy.
When they were back in the car, her mother asked, “What did Marianne have to say to you?”
“Just offering condolences about Bitsy. That’s all.”
Her mother studied her face. “Uh-huh.”
Fancie started the car and eased into traffic. “Any other stops you need to make?”
“No. I already took out a roast for dinner tonight.”
“I’ll prepare it. You can sit and give me directions.”
“You know, that’s how I learned to cook, but not until after I married your father. My mother didn’t like anyone in the kitchen when she cooked. Your Grandmother Bitsy would set out everything for a meal and then sit and sip sweet tea while she told me how to put it all together—all of her little secrets, none of which she ever wrote down.”
“She didn’t leave any of her recipes?”
Her mother laughed. “Of course she did. They’re right here.” Alicia tapped on her temple. “And you and I are going to get them written down before I’m too old to remember them.”
Fancie smiled. She liked the idea of a project that would preserve her grandmother’s memory and recipes that might go back several generations. “We’ll do that, Mama.”
“Y’all need me at home this afternoon for anything?” James asked from the back seat.
“No. Why?” Alicia responded.
“I thought you could drop me at the men’s club and I’ll have lunch there, see who’s around. Somebody’ll give me a ride home later.”
Fancie waited for her mother’s okay.
“How much later?” Alicia asked.
“I don’t know. Later. After I have lunch and catch up with the guys.”
The men’s club her father referred to was a bar-slash-barbecue joint on the edge of town owned by one of his old high school classmates. It was his go-to place to get away from all the hormones in the house.
“You’ll be home for supper?” Alicia asked.
“Scout’s honor. You know where to turn, Fancie?”
“I know, Daddy. Call if you need a ride home.” She turned and pulled to the curb in front of The Watering Hole.
Her father got out slowly, using the cane to keep pressure off his still-booted ankle. He then leaned in the open passenger window and kissed Alicia’s cheek. “Thank you. I promise I won’t be long.”
She lifted her right hand and patted his cheek. “Have a nice time. You deserve it.” After he disappeared through the front door, her mother said, “He’s hurting more than he’ll let either of us know. This is his way of grieving.”
Tears expectedly burned the backs of her eyes. Fancie wanted what her parents had. She wanted that tenderness they shared, the love that held them together, yet let each of them be themselves.
Fancie turned up the oak-lined drive to Quail Hill. “Mama?”
“Yes, sweetie.”
“I think I’m in love with Luke.”