It was such a tender sight that Brynna couldn’t help but stare. They all looked so congenial and connected and comfortable with each other, like one big happy family. Like something she’d always longed for, but never really experienced in her own life. With a deep-rooted longing, she watched them start to eat. Passing food, talking, pouring wine, laughing. As the sky became a dusky indigo-blue, the light from the lanterns glowed golden and warm. Brynna stared so intently at the picturesque scene that her eyes began to water. Finally she turned away, determined not to cry.
Refusing to feel sorry for herself, she decided to focus on putting the bedroom and bathroom in order. She started by stowing away her camp clothes, now clean and dry, as well as the numerous items she’d scavenged from Luna’s castoffs. Surprisingly, most of them seemed to work. Why the girl wanted to get rid of such nice garments, some barely worn, was a mystery, but Brynna was grateful for them.
Almost done with her housekeeping, she was just putting her only two pairs of blue jeans in the bottom of the old dresser when she noticed a brown book in the back of the drawer. She removed a leather-bound Bible with the name MARCIALOUISEJENSONembossed in gold letters. It seemed well worn. Brynna guessed that it must’ve been Marcie’s before she married. But wouldn’t one of her daughters want it? Brynna would have to remember to mention it to Sophie. But for now, Brynna opened it with reverence, flipping through the pages, many that had notes written in the margins.
Brynna paused on the decorative page between the Old and New Testaments that was designated for recording important dates. Marcie’s birthdate was scribed in a childish hand, and unless there’d been some mistake, she would’ve been fifty by now, which made her two years older than Leroy. The next recorded event, their wedding date, had been twenty-eight years ago, which meant they’d been quite young when they married. It also meantthat Leroy must’ve found Marcie shortly after Brynna had sent him that Dear John letter.
Well, it obviously hadn’t taken Leroy very long to get over her. On one hand, that was a comfort because it suggested that seeing him now might not be nearly as awkward as she’d imagined. But on the other hand, it stung to realize he’d never cared that much. But hadn’t she suspected as much back then? She’d never received a response to that final letter. At the time, she’d expected him to challenge her, perhaps even show up and beg her to rethink her decision. And maybe she would’ve...
Because if Leroy had been truly in love, wouldn’t he have questioned her, or called, or insisted on a final conversation? But it seemed he’d simply taken it in stride. And then he’d gotten married.
Of course, she’d gotten married quite young too. Not that it had turned out as well for her as it had for Leroy. But studying these dates, trying to put the puzzle pieces together, she realized that she’d been completely forgotten long ago. Of course, that made her wonder, What was the point of her being here now? Except that she loved it here. And, really, wouldn’t it be a blessing if he didn’t remember her at all? If he saw her and simply shrugged? There would be no conflict, nothing for her to explain.
Leroy did his best to be congenial for the big dinner that Judith and the girls had worked so hard to prepare and serve. And it had been pleasant having Garth and Sophie and the kids there. And his mother too. But there were a few things that had troubled him. For starters, he didn’t like how Judith allowed her daughters to have wine. Mara wasn’t quite twenty-one and Cassie was still in high school! Oh, Judith claimed it was very acceptable in France, but this wasn’t France, and he’d always been a stickler against underage drinking. Especially when it came to his daughters and their friends. Still, he didn’t want to turn dinner into a big scene. Thankfully, Gina respected his rules.
And as far as the fancy cuisine went, he was tired after a long day and would’ve preferred burgers on the grill with just his own family. But he knew that Gina was happy having her friends here, and Judith seemed determined to wow everyone with her culinary skills. He had to admit that, even though it was meatless lasagna, it wasn’t too bad. Although his mother’s lasagna was better. But everyone else had seemed to enjoy it. And now they were all looking forward to dessert, some concoction he couldn’t even pronounce that sounded like a bathtub—not something he cared to eat. He was hoping for an escape.
And when he noticed his mother was winding down, stifling a yawn, he decided this was his chance. He leaned over his mom and quietly asked how she was doing. “I know you’re not a late-night person, Mom. Ready to call it a day?”
“I suppose I’m a little worn out,” she admitted. “I got up rather early this morning to work on Sherry’s herb garden. She neglects it so.”
“How about I give you a ride home?” he offered.
She shrugged, but he could tell she was game so he stood. “Hey, if you’ll all excuse us, I think I’ll take Mom home now. She’s had a long day, and she’s not really a night person.”
“What about dessert?” Gina asked. “Judith made clafoutis.”
He was already helping his mom out of her chair. “Well, I have no idea what that claw-foot thing is, but I’m sure it’s delicious.” He gave them his brightest smile. “How about if I have some later?”
“Yes, of course.” Judith beamed at him. “I’ll save some for you and we’ll send some home with Dorothy.” She turned to Cassie. “Why don’t you go get a piece ready, sweetie?”
“But we brought Grandma,” Sophie told Leroy. “We should take her home.”
“No,” he insisted. “Stay and enjoy.” He grinned at his grandkids. “You guys want dessert, don’t you?”
Naturally, the kids didn’t disagree, and so without further ado, Leroy got his mom and her foil-wrapped clafoutis out of there.As they walked out to the Jeep, the golden light was just starting to meld into the edge of the western horizon, and the rest of the sky was turning a dusky shade of indigo. A nighthawk swooped by and Leroy had to admit to himself, this was one of his favorite times of day—and having a social gathering out on his back terrace was something he’d neglected for ages. But tonight, he’d remembered times gone by . . . as a boy with his family . . . with his girls and Marcie . . . happy family meals outside on a summer evening. From the soft jazz music that someone had put on to the glow of the kerosene lanterns, the conversations, and a good bottle of wine flowing—for adults only!—well, it was all pretty cool. All except for the present crowd sitting out there. Judith and her daughters weren’t bad people, but they weren’t his people. And he was relieved to be out of there!
Chapter 19
“I’m glad you were ready to head out,” Leroy confided to his mom after they were safely in his Jeep. “I was just looking for an excuse to escape.”
“Yes, well, I’m just not much for nighttime parties anymore.” She sighed and leaned back against her seat. “Part of getting old.”
“What did you think of Judith’s meatless lasagna?” he asked as he pulled out of his driveway.
“You want my honest opinion, son?”
“Of course.” He waited, knowing his mom wouldn’t mince words with him.
“If you’re going to make lasagna, make it like an Italian, not the French. Lasagna is supposed to be rich and spicy, with layer upon layer of goodness—sausage, mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan. Good grief, I wasn’t even born into an Italian family like your father was, and I know that much.”
Leroy laughed. “So, I take it you’re not a fan.”
She shrugged. “Well, I would never complain to the hostess.” She turned to him. “She was certainly acting like the hostess, Leroy. Is there something I should know?”
“Like we told you, Judith and her daughters are Gina’s guests. They’re on a working vacation. And, believe me, Gina is really working them.”
“Seems to me the mother is working on you.”
