Chapter 29 - The Future She Left Behind

“I’m glad you finally came to your senses and cut your hair, but all those layers look messy. You should have gone with a sleek bob.” Shirley climbed the front porch steps Wednesday evening and sat in the rocking chair Birdie had purchased with some of her birthday money.

“I finally cut my hair, and I still can’t please you,” Katelyn said.

Shirley let the subject drop. “Birdie said Melissa’s back in the States.”

“She called a few days ago when she made it safely to Sara’s home.”

“Sara?”

“Sara Kerns. She’s one of the incoming freshmen who went on the trip. Her family owns a horse farm in Georgia, and they invited Melissa to spend a few weeks there.”

“That’s nice.”

“Don’s going to be out of the country in August when school starts, so Mom and I are planning to meet Melissa at Stephens to help her move into her dorm. You’re welcome to join us.”

“You and Birdie should go and spend time with her.”

Katelyn was surprised her mother-in-law turned down the invite.

Shirley pointed at the easel. “I had no idea you were this good.” Shirley was a pro at giving backhanded compliments.

“I can’t help feeling that there’s something missing.”

“The wrinkle across the bridge of her nose. It shows up when Layla smiles.”

“You’re very observant.” Katelyn added a tiny crease in the skin between Layla’s eyes, then examined her work with a critical eye. “Perfect.” She wiped the tip of her brush on the paint rag. “You’ve had lunch with Vern five days in a row.”

“Is there something the matter with that?”

“Do you ever run out of things to talk about?”

“We haven’t so far.”

Katelyn prodded her. “You both live very different lives. I didn’t expect the two of you to have anything in common.”

“He took Elaine to a symphony once, because she’d never been.”

“So he’s cultured?”

“A little.”

“What about politics?”

“We’ve agreed to disagree.”

“Let me guess.” Katelyn laughed. “Vern’s in favor of expanding social programs to help the needy.” Shirley was in favor of the needy helping themselves.

“Robert never cut a single piece of fruit during our marriage, but you should see the fancy way Vern carves a watermelon.” Shirley was smitten with the minister.

“What’s his house like?”

“Traditional. I offered several suggestions on updating the decor.”

Shirley wasn’t a great cook and she detested cleaning, but she had a keen eye for decorating. Still . . . Katelyn doubted Vern had been receptive to changing his home after his wife had passed away less than a year ago.

“Vern said Jackson invited you to visit his mother.”

“We’re seeing her this Saturday.”

Shirley picked at her nails—a nervous habit Katelyn had picked up on when she’d first met the woman years ago. “What’s the matter?”

“I have a confession to make.”

This ought to be interesting. “What’s that?”

“I didn’t go to Jackson’s garage to ask about an oil change for the car.”

“I figured you didn’t.”

“I went to warn him away from you.”

Katelyn set her paintbrush aside. “Why?”

“I’d hoped there was still a chance you and Don might reconcile.”

“And now . . . ?”

“I realize what an ass my son has been.”

Katelyn smiled. “Divorce doesn’t bring out the best in people, but you shouldn’t worry about Don. He’ll be fine.”

“I’m not worried about him. He’ll get what’s coming to him eventually. It’s you I’m worried about.”

“Me?”

“Jackson’s not good enough for you.” Shirley held up her hand when Katelyn opened her mouth to insist her opinion didn’t matter. “I realize you grew up in Little Springs, but you left this town and bettered yourself. The last thing you want to do is go backward in life.”

“If that’s true, why are you interested in Vern?”

“My situation is unique.”

There were always two standards—one for Shirley and one for everyone else. “How is your relationship with him different?”

Shirley clasped her hands tightly and stared at the porch floor.

As Katelyn had always suspected, her mother-in-law was afraid of being alone.

“I’m going to ask Vern to come back to St. Louis with me.” Shirley looked Katelyn in the eye. “Before you accuse me of using him, you should know that although he’s not a man I would have associated with when I was younger, I like him very much, and I believe he’d make a nice companion.”

“It doesn’t bother you that he’s a recovering alcoholic?”

“It’s not something I plan to broadcast to people.”

“Is he willing to sell his home in Little Springs and move into your apartment with you?”

“I haven’t asked him to move in with me. I want him to see St. Louis first.”

“What if he doesn’t like the city?”

“Then I’ll spend more time with him in Little Springs.”

“I can’t picture you living here permanently.”

“The people are entertaining.”

Oh, brother.

Shirley got up from the chair. “Your mother is a little unpolished, but underneath her ugly capri pants and T-shirts is a sensible, clever woman.”

“I’m sure Mom would be pleased to know you approve of her.”

“If you inherited even a smidgen of Birdie’s common sense, you’ll realize Jackson isn’t the right man for you. He’ll hold you back.”

The only person who had held Katelyn back all these years had been herself.

A horn honked, and Shirley said, “That’s Vern.”

“Don’t forget your purse.” Katelyn peeked through the window. “It’s sitting on the coffee table.”

Shirley entered the house, and Katelyn watched her through the window, making sure she found the bag. When she backed away, she caught her reflection in the glass and plucked at her bangs.

As she stared at her likeness, she realized that the old Katelyn—the one who’d second-guessed herself—had been replaced by a new Katelyn: a woman ready to take risks with her art. Ready to take her life in a new direction.

A woman not afraid to fail.

* * *

“Next week you and your sponsor will spend the majority of the time evaluating your progress with the twelve steps,” Vern said. “Let’s bow our heads.”

After he recited the Lord’s Prayer, the AA members folded their chairs and stacked them against the basement wall. Jackson stood by the church doorway and waited for Vern to say good-bye to each member.

“Thought you’d be the first one out the door,” Vern said.

It was no secret that even after three years Jackson wasn’t comfortable at the Friday meetings. “I’ll walk you home,” he said.

“Shirley’s picking me up”—Vern checked his watch—“in an hour.”

They left the church and turned the corner at the end of the block. Vern’s house sat across from the town park. “Have you talked to Abby?” Jackson asked.

“She left a voice mail message.” He snagged Jackson’s arm and they stopped walking. “Is she checking up on me?”

Abby had phoned Jackson three times in the past two days, because her father hadn’t returned her calls. “She wants to make sure you’re okay.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Vern grumbled beneath his breath.

“Abby’s happy to be back at work,” Jackson said. “She’s dating her boss.” Layla had caught him up on Abby’s life after he’d run into her at Mama’s Kitchen that morning.

“Abby’s coworkers don’t know about her and the boss,” Vern said.

“If you want, I’ll drive you to Dallas so you can check this guy out.”

“And embarrass my daughter?” Vern chuckled. “I’ll think about it.”

“You’ve adjusted really well to Abby’s absence.”

“I’m not proud that I begged my daughter to stay with me after her mother passed away.”

“She’d do anything for you.” Jackson slowed his steps when they reached the park. He motioned to the bench near the flower bed and they sat. “You haven’t acted this happy since before Elaine became ill.”

“Shirley keeps me on my toes.” Vern frowned. “What is it you want to talk to me about?”

“What happens when Shirley leaves?”

“She asked me to go to St. Louis with her.” Vern glanced at Jackson. “I told her I’d think about it.”

“You should take Shirley up on the offer.”

“You told me I needed to return to the pulpit, and Reverend Sanders expects me to take over services in October.”

“The town can find another minister. Besides, you can preach the word of God in St. Louis if you decide to move there permanently.”

“What about you?” Vern asked.

Jackson scowled. “You’re not worried I’ll start drinking again, are you?”

“No, but—”

“No buts, Vern. You’ve had my back since before I opened the garage. As much as I appreciate all you’ve done for me, it’s time you put yourself first. I’ll miss you, but I won’t fall apart if you leave town.”

“I didn’t think you would.”

“Yes, you did.”

“Maybe a little.” Vern scuffed the toe of his shoe against the grass. “What are my chances of talking Shirley into moving here?”

Jackson laughed. “Zero to none.”

“That’s what I was thinking.”

“What about a compromise?” Jackson asked.

“Compromise?”

“Spend the summers in St. Louis and the rest of the year here.”

Vern rubbed his chin. “I’d have to see if Reverend Sanders would be willing to fill in during the summer.”

“If he can’t, then the town will find another minister to take over for three months.”

“Elaine’s only been gone—”

“Elaine would want you to be happy.”

Vern dropped his gaze. “I know she would.”

“Promise me that if you stay in Little Springs, it’s because you want to and not because you’re worried about me.”

Vern place his hand over his heart. “Whatever I decide will be best for me and no one else.”

“Good.” Jackson checked his cell phone. “You’d better get going. You’ve got a half hour to spruce up for Shirley.”

When they reached his house, Vern said, “I’d need someone to run the AA meetings if I go to St. Louis.”

“I’ll step up.” He meant it. Conducting the meetings would help him become more comfortable opening up to people. “See you later.”

After Vern closed the front door, Jackson walked off, wondering if he asked Katelyn to stay in Little Springs, what the chances were of her saying yes.