Chapter 31 - The Future She Left Behind

Katelyn walked into an empty kitchen Sunday morning to find a fresh pot of coffee and a note from her mother.

Helping Doris clean her house after church. Tell Walter I’ll come into the store later this afternoon.

Mom

Katelyn glanced out the window. The Taurus was gone, but Shirley’s Mercedes sat parked in front of the storage shed. She poured herself a cup of coffee, hoping the caffeine would charge her batteries. She’d had trouble sleeping last night, thinking about Jackson’s mother. She couldn’t imagine how difficult it had been for him to allow Nicole back into his life after she’d been AWOL all these years.

He’s letting you back into his life after you left him.

Jackson could be very persuasive, and Katelyn had known that if she waited to break up with him until she went home from college for the holidays, he would have changed her mind.

The back door opened, startling Katelyn out of her trance. Shirley waltzed into the kitchen with her blouse buttoned crooked, her hair messed up and no lipstick. Katelyn struggled not to laugh when she said, “Your sandals are on the wrong feet.” A horn honked, and she looked out the screen door. Vern was dangling Shirley’s purse out the window of his pickup. “You forgot your purse.”

Shirley returned outside, and Katelyn spied on the two lovebirds. Vern wouldn’t let go of her purse when Shirley made a grab for it, and she giggled. A minute later she climbed the porch steps and entered the kitchen.

“Did you stay the night at Vern’s?”

“We didn’t do anything bad.”

She’d like to know Shirley’s definition of bad but didn’t ask.

“Sit down and I’ll pour you a cup of coffee.” Katelyn removed a mug from the cupboard, filled it to the brim and then joined Shirley at the table. Her mother-in-law’s gaze pinged around the kitchen, landing everywhere but on Katelyn. “You must have done something sort of bad”—Katelyn stared at Shirley’s feet—“unless your disheveled appearance is the result of being mauled by a feral cat while you went for a morning walk in your rhinestone sandals.”

“Don’t you dare say a word to anyone. Not even Birdie.” Shirley sipped her coffee. “Vern and I got to talking last night and time slipped away from us. I didn’t want to disturb you and your mother, so I slept at his house.”

Katelyn had to ask. “In his bed?”

Shirley scowled. “No, in the guest room.”

“Who crawled in with who?” Katelyn couldn’t help but laugh. “Women your age still have sex, you know.”

Shirley went to the pantry and confiscated a box of Entenmann’s donuts. “It was the most romantic night I’ve experienced in I can’t remember how long.”

Katelyn grinned over the rim of her coffee cup. Did Shirley even realize she was eating junk food?

“Vern makes me feel young.” A dreamy sparkle filled her mother-in-law’s eyes. “I’ve felt so old since Robert died.” She shook her head. “When Vern looks at me, I swear he sees the young girl I once was.”

Katelyn waited for her to finish the pastry, then asked, “What are your plans for the future?”

“Vern’s returning to the pulpit.”

“He’s not traveling with us when we leave Little Springs?”

“I won’t be going back with you,” Shirley said. “Vern and I plan to visit St. Louis in September so that I can arrange to have a few of my belongings shipped here.”

“You’re moving to Little Springs permanently?”

“We’ll spend the summers at my apartment in St. Louis and then the rest of the year here.”

“It’s probably a good idea to keep the apartment in case you go stir-crazy in Little Springs,” Katelyn said.

“I’m keeping the apartment so the kids have a place to stay when they visit their father or friends in St. Louis.”

“That’s very thoughtful, but will management allow them to be there when you’re not?” Katelyn pictured the twins having wild parties in the apartment.

“Don said I’m allowed to have guests as long as they’re eighteen or older.”

“I’m sure he’ll have room for the kids wherever he ends up.”

“Michael and Melissa may not want to stay with Don and that slutty girlfriend of his.”

Katelyn grinned. Lauren was in for a big surprise when she discovered what kind of baggage Don came with.

“I never believed you were good enough for Don.” Shirley shook her head. “I always thought my son would marry a wealthy girl from a prominent Kansas City family. A girl who lived in a beautiful home. Who knew how to dress and accessorize and was no stranger to spas and beauty salons. I never imagined he’d choose a girl from a little backwoods town in Texas whose mother worked as a cashier at a grocery store and whose father spent his days trekking through the woods.”

Considering the source and the lens through which Shirley viewed the world, Katelyn didn’t take offense at the insults. “I’m sure it was a shock.”

“There is a bright side to Don divorcing you.”

“What’s that?”

“I’d never have met Vern or your mother’s friends if my son had decided to keep you around.”

Katelyn left the table and dumped the remainder of her coffee down the drain. “I can’t believe I almost didn’t bring you home with me this summer.” She turned away from the sink. “So when’s the wedding?”

“I’m not marrying Vern.”

“But—”

“It’s too soon after his wife died.”

“You’re probably smart not to rush into anything.” Katelyn was happy for Shirley and admittedly relieved her mother-in-law had someone else to latch onto. “I’ve got to get ready for work.”

“Where’s Birdie?”

“She’s helping Doris clean her house before she clocks in at the grocery store this afternoon.”

Shirley stood up. “Vern’s making dinner for me tonight.”

“If you keep sneaking in after curfew, you should have your own set of keys to the house.”

Shirley ignored the suggestion and walked out of the room.

Katelyn checked the clock. She had an hour to get ready for work, and if she hurried, she could steal a half hour to work on another painting.

* * *

Layla waved her over as soon as Katelyn walked up to the registers late Sunday morning.

“What’s going on?” Katelyn asked, noticing the sparkle in her coworker’s eye.

“Brian and I talked last night, and we both agreed that we wouldn’t date anyone else.”

“So it’s official—you’re in a relationship?”

Layla smiled.

“What made you decide to give Brian a chance?”

“He may not be Mr. Moneybags, but he works hard and my son is at the age where he needs a male role model in his life.”

“So you’re dating Brian because of Gavin?”

“Gavin’s a big part of why I’m giving this relationship an honest chance, but last night when I told Brian I dreamed of being a massage therapist and working in an upscale spa, he said he’d keep an eye on Gavin if I wanted to go back to school.”

“That’s great. Are you thinking of moving in together?”

“Brian says we should, but I don’t want to rush things. Tomorrow I have an appointment with an admissions counselor at the community college in Midland to find out what kind of financial aid I qualify for.”

“I’m excited for you, Layla. I hope things work out.”

“I heard you went to see Jackson’s mother yesterday.”

“It was awkward meeting her for the first time.”

“Didn’t you already know her?”

“Jackson’s mother left town years before he and I dated.”

The doors opened and a family of four walked into the store, grabbed a cart and headed to the produce section.

“What about you?” Layla asked. “Are you and Jackson officially in a relationship?”

“We’re taking things one day at a time like you and Brian.” She’d hurt Jackson once before because she’d wanted to go off and find herself. The last thing she cared to do was inflict another wound when she was still searching for answers.

“I wish you’d move back to Little Springs,” Layla said. “Even though you’re older than me, I think we could be good friends.”

Katelyn laughed. “We get along well, don’t we?”

“And”—Layla spread her arms wide—“when Abby visits her father, the three of us could plan a girls’ weekend and go somewhere.”

Walter’s head popped out of his office. “Layla, would you take inventory in the health-and-beauty aisle?”

“Sure.” Layla removed the handheld computer scanner from beneath her counter. “Are you nervous about the art festival next Sunday?”

“A little.”

“You should ask for a couple of days off this week so you can get ready for the show.”

“My mom offered to work some of my hours, but she’s having fun with her music and I don’t want to bother her.”

“Walter hired Harriet’s niece, Kim. She starts tomorrow, and he said she’s looking for as many hours as she can get. I bet she’d take a few of your shifts, and I can work overtime.”

“Thanks, Layla. I’ll talk to Walter before I leave today.”

“Brian’s coming with me to the festival. He says he might buy one of your pieces.”

And Katelyn knew exactly which one he was interested in.