Chapter 26 - The Future She Left Behind

When Katelyn came around the side of the house, she ran into Shirley on the back porch.

“You put in a long day at work,” her mother-in-law said.

“My dogs are barking.” Katelyn climbed the steps and then sat in the chair and parked her feet on the porch rail. “Where’s my mother?”

“She’s at Doris’s.”

“Why didn’t you go with her?”

“Vern’s picking me up. We’re going out to dinner before the concert.”

It was already six o’clock. “What time is he supposed to get here?”

Shirley fussed with the buttons on her blouse. “Soon.”

For all Katelyn knew, Shirley might have forgotten what time Vern told her to be ready and she’d been waiting on the porch all afternoon. “You two are spending a lot of time together.”

“I’m not the one sneaking through town at dawn after spending the night with an old boyfriend.”

No way did she want to discuss Jackson with her mother-in-law. “What’s going to happen between you and Vern when we return to St. Louis?”

“I’ll be back here to visit again.”

Katelyn’s mouth dropped open. “But you hate Little Springs.”

“Hate is a strong word. I prefer St. Louis, but this town has a few things going for it.”

“Like what?”

“Sadie’s hair salon.” Shirley pointed to her head. “She does a better job on my hair than Pam ever did.”

“What about the lack of fine dining?” Katelyn said.

“I don’t know why everyone likes Ginny’s pies. I’ve had better.”

“Besides not having a decent restaurant, you don’t fit in with the ladies around here,” Katelyn reminded Shirley.

“It’s true that I have more class than the members of the ladies’ society, but I’m willing to overlook that and call them friends.”

Katelyn had never imagined she’d see the day her mother-in-law called women who ate Tombstone frozen pizzas her friends.

Shirley took a deep breath, then exhaled loudly. “The ladies I socialized with in Kansas City weren’t friends—not in any true sense of the word. They would never have accepted a stranger into their circles the way your mother and the other women welcomed me. I know I’m opinionated and that I can be difficult to get along with, but real friends put up with your faults.”

“So you like being part of the Little Springs Ladies’ Society.”

“At our age it no longer matters what kind of car you drive or home you live in.” Shirley jutted her chin. “Having said that, I refuse to give up my Mercedes.”

Katelyn had never thought she’d see the day her mother-in-law defended those below her on the social ladder.

“I’m going to ask Vern to return to St. Louis with us.”

“You didn’t by chance talk to Abby today, did you?”

“She stopped by earlier to tell me that she’s leaving for Dallas.”

“Is that all she said?”

“She mentioned that Vern’s never been to Missouri and would enjoy seeing St. Louis.”

“Are you inviting him for a visit or longer?”

“I haven’t decided.” Shirley’s eyes sparkled and Katelyn couldn’t recall her mother-in-law acting this happy in years.

“How did Vern take the news that Abby’s leaving?”

“I don’t know. I’ll find out soon.” Shirley shifted her attention to the end of the driveway, where Vern’s pickup turned in. He parked next to the Mercedes.

“Hello, ladies,” he said as he approached the porch.

“Did you speak with Abby?” Shirley asked when he propped a foot on the bottom step.

“She’s leaving for Dallas in the morning.”

“And . . . ?” Shirley prompted.

Vern smiled. “She said I was in good hands with you.”

Katelyn wasn’t sticking around to watch two old people make goo-goo eyes at each other. She was halfway to the door when Vern’s voice stopped her.

“Jackson’s finally found a sense of peace and purpose in Little Springs, Katelyn. If you ask him to give that up, I’m concerned he’ll fall back into his old ways.”

The old man wasn’t giving Jackson enough credit. The town mechanic was a lot stronger than people believed. “You’re worrying for nothing. We’re friends.” She escaped inside, letting the screen door bang closed behind her.

* * *

Katelyn checked her reflection in the mirror one last time. She’d curled her hair but hated the results. She looked like a forty-year-old woman trying to pretend she was sixteen. It was time to stop using her long hair as a weapon against her mother-in-law.

The woman staring back at her in the mirror was the old Katelyn—the young girl who’d given up parts of herself when she’d married Don and had the twins. It was time to say good-bye to her.

She left the house and headed down the hill to Main Street. When she passed Mendoza Auto, the bay door was closed, but the lights were on. She hoped Jackson would come to the concert. Reflecting back on their time together in high school, she was ashamed that she’d been so caught up in her own dreams and plans that she hadn’t been aware Jackson had felt like an outcast in his hometown. She turned the corner at the end of the block and saw a crowd gathering in Doris’s driveway. Sadie raised her hand and waved Katelyn over.

“I saved you a seat.” She patted the lawn chair next to her, then opened the cooler by her feet and offered Katelyn a beer.

“No, thanks.” She wasn’t a beer drinker.

“Isn’t it fabulous what your mother is doing?”

“I admit Mom surprised me when she said she’d formed a band.”

“I saw Birdie play once. Did she tell you that?”

“No.”

“She was singing at the Hoot-n-Holler in Pecos. They closed the bar years ago.” Sadie swatted at a fly buzzing her head. “Birdie was nine months pregnant with you, but she managed to hold that guitar despite her big belly.” Sadie smiled. “When she sang, everyone in the bar stopped talking. Birdie’s voice was like smoke—low, smooth and hypnotizing. She sang three songs, then packed up her guitar and left. Two days later she gave birth to you.”

And then Birdie had stowed her dream away and gone on with life.

A commotion at the front of the driveway drew Katelyn’s attention. The garage door rose and the Hot Tamales came into view. And what a view it was. The ladies wore colorful sombreros and matching red blouses with sparkly gold bell-bottom pants. Katelyn’s mother wore lipstick and looked ten years younger.

“Where did they get those outfits?” Katelyn asked.

“Ginny and I helped sew them.”

“We’re the Hot Tamales,” Birdie spoke into a microphone. “Our first number is called ‘No Men Allowed.’”

“Boo!” Gary laughed.

“Behave, Mr. Gifford, or I’ll escort you back to your junkyard.” Harriet winked, and the audience cheered her.

Birdie strummed her guitar, and Mavis pounded a steady beat on the drums. Faye and Etta played the piano together, while Nanette clunked a stick against a wood block.

Birdie’s eyes scanned the onlookers, her lips pressing into a flat line. Katelyn could feel her mother’s apprehension. It was difficult to expose your soul to people, understanding that not everyone would treat it kindly. Katelyn put her fingers in her mouth and whistled. When her mother looked her way, she gave a thumbs-up.

“Men,” Birdie sang, “drive women insane. . . .”

Everyone cheered, and Birdie stood straighter, her hand moving more confidently across the guitar strings.

Sadie was right about Birdie’s voice—the low notes flowed from her mouth in smooth whispers that pulled the audience forward in their seats. After the second verse, Katelyn no longer heard the drums, or even the guitar—only her mother’s voice reached her ears.

When the ditty ended, Katelyn stood and clapped. “You go, Mom!”

“Sing us another one, Birdie!” Gary hollered.

“This one’s called ‘Go Cheat with Yourself.’” Birdie’s voice grew stronger. As Katelyn listened, it occurred to her that if her sixty-year-old mother could stand in front of her peers and sing, then there was no reason why Katelyn couldn’t find the courage to put her artwork in front of strangers.

Halfway through the third song, Katelyn’s neck itched. She turned her head, and her gaze collided with Don’s. Her soon-to-be ex stood out like a sore thumb in a suit and tie. She left her chair and skirted the crowd. The spare tire around his middle appeared smaller. How long had it been since they’d seen each other? Two months? More?

She grasped his arm and escorted him behind a tree out of view of the concertgoers. “What are you doing in town?”

“I brought the divorce agreement for you to look over.”

“You could have mailed it.” She hadn’t planned on finding a lawyer until she returned to St. Louis sometime in August, but apparently Don was in a hurry to be rid of her.

“I also flew out here to check up on my mother, since she isn’t returning my calls.”

This was the first time she’d heard about Shirley ignoring Don’s attempts to reach her.

“I saw the note taped to the back door,” he said, “so I walked down here and followed the sound of the music.”

Katelyn had left a message for Layla that she’d be at the concert. Her coworker had mentioned she might drop by to chat while Brian and Gavin went to an arcade in Pecos.

Don’s gaze dropped to her left hand. “You took your ring off.”

If they weren’t standing in the middle of a crowd, she might fling a four-letter word at him. “Did you think I’d lament over you after you cheated on me?”

“I admit I could have handled things better.”

You think? “We had almost nineteen years together and two kids. I deserve more respect than you’ve shown me.”

He shoved a hand through his thinning hair. “I’m sorry.” He didn’t sound sorry. “Since when did Birdie start singing in a band?”

“Since a couple of weeks ago.”

His gaze searched the crowd. “I don’t see my mother.”

“She’s not here.” They needed to talk, but Katelyn didn’t want to draw attention away from the band. “Let’s get out of here.” They walked down the block, and when they turned the corner, she pulled up short.

“Jackson.” Katelyn introduced the two men. “Don, this is Jackson. Jackson, Don.”

Neither man offered a handshake.

“I was on my way to the concert,” Jackson said.

Surprised he’d decided to go, she said, “The Hot Tamales sound great.”

She felt Don’s fingers grip her arm. “If you’ll excuse us.” She walked on, Don at her side, neither speaking as they passed the Buy & Bag and climbed the hill to Birdie’s house. When they reached the front yard, she sat on the porch steps. “It was rude of you to show up unannounced. You should have called before coming to town.”

“So you could warn your old boyfriend?”

“We’re friends.” Not that she needed to explain their relationship to him. Don paced in front of the porch. The man was always moving . . . thinking ahead . . . planning. Never relaxing. He was nothing like Jackson, who found pleasure in sitting quietly and soaking in the moment. “Can I ask you something?”

“What?”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were unhappy?”

“You know me. I don’t like dealing with emotions.”

“Your mother believes you’re having a midlife crisis.”

He shrugged. “Call it what you want.”

“The kids phoned me. They’re upset.”

“I know.” He pushed his fists into his pants pockets.

“The divorce might have gone better with them if you hadn’t cheated.”

Don stared at his shoes. “Lauren wasn’t the first time, Katelyn.”

Any nostalgic feelings she had left for Don or their marriage died a quick death. “How many?”

“Does it matter?”

“Yes, it matters. I gave up a lot”—of herself—“when I was married to you.” At his perplexed expression, she said, “I don’t intend to bad-mouth you in front of the twins, but I’m not your ally anymore. Don’t count on me to encourage them to forgive and forget.” It occurred to Katelyn that the only thing she could say about their relationship after so many years of marriage was that they had two great kids.

“The papers are in the rental car.” Don walked away.

Katelyn followed him around the house, and they reached the driveway right as Shirley’s Mercedes turned in.

“Who’s driving my mother’s car?”

“Her boyfriend.”

Don didn’t have a chance to react before Shirley got out of the car and swatted the back of her son’s head with her hand.

“Hello, Mother.”

“What in the world is the matter with you? I raised you better than to—”

“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your boy, Shirley?” Vern stepped forward, saving Don from another wallop.

“This is my son, Donald,” Shirley said.

“Vern Wilkes.” The men shook hands.

“Vern’s a minister,” Shirley said.

“Don’t worry,” Vern said. “I have the utmost admiration for your mother.”

Don’s head jerked as if Vern had slapped him, and Katelyn swallowed a chuckle. It was about time someone reminded Don that he should show more respect for his mother.

Shirley glanced between Don and Katelyn. “Does your visit mean you two are—”

“No,” Don said. “I brought Katelyn a copy of the divorce agreement, and I wanted to see how you’re doing.”

Shirley’s lips trembled, and Vern slipped his arm around her waist.

“Everything will be okay, Mom,” Don said.

“How will it be okay when you want to put me into an apartment and then forget about me?” Shirley pointed at Katelyn. “I was never in favor of you marrying her, but your wife cares more about me than you do.”

“That’s true,” Katelyn said.

“I’m here for you, too, Shirley,” Vern said.

Don cleared his throat. “I was trying to do the right thing by finding a place for you to live, but I realize now that I should have asked if you wanted to move into the apartment before I signed the lease.”

“Yes, you should have.”

“Do you want me to keep the apartment or break the lease?” Don asked.

“Am I welcome to live with you?”

Katelyn silently applauded Shirley for putting her son on the spot.

“I’d have to speak with Lauren first.”

Shirley sucked in a loud breath. “It didn’t matter what your wife thought three years ago when you invited me to move into your house.”

Right now Katelyn loved her mother-in-law.

“Maybe we should discuss this later,” Don said.

“I’m keeping the apartment. Vern’s never been to St. Louis, and we’ll be staying there this fall.”

“So you two are . . . ?” Don stared at Vern.

“Your mother’s a special lady,” Vern said.

“I’d like to take you both out to lunch tomorrow before I fly back to St. Louis.”

“We’d enjoy that,” Vern said.

Don faced Katelyn. “Can I have a private word with you?”

Shirley hugged her son. “I’m glad you came.”

Vern offered his hand, and Don said, “Nice meeting you.”

Shirley and Vern walked over to Katelyn. “We stopped by Doris’s for a few minutes. Birdie’s a better singer than I thought she’d be.”

Don waited until the pair entered the house before he spoke. “Mom seems happy.”

“Vern’s wife died this past Christmas.”

“The new owners move in November first, so you have time to figure out where you’re going to live and what furniture you want to take with you.”

“Thanks for the heads-up.”

“Melissa said she’s staying with a friend in Georgia when she returns from overseas.”

“Mom and I plan to meet her at Stephens to help her get settled in.”

“I’d go, but—”

“You’re traveling.” Katelyn studied Don. The lines bracketing his mouth appeared deeper and his skin sallow. Perhaps the price of his infidelity was taking a toll on him.

“Please make time for the kids,” she said. “I know they’re adults now and they’ll be busy with college, but don’t forget about them.”

“I’m not an ogre, Katelyn.”

“Right now the twins think you are.”

He walked to the rental car and opened the driver’s-side door, then pointed to the manila envelope she held in her hands. “I didn’t screw you over.”

“My lawyer will be in touch.” Katelyn tossed the envelope onto the porch steps, then headed back to Doris’s house.