“Hold it, mister.You’re calling for areason.What is it?I usually have to call you.Out with it.”
Now Jeanne Johnson was used to getting herway.She was the head of the big Johnson clan and had been sinceher husband Miles had died.But Sandy knew she was also sad thathe’d been alone and lonely since his wife died four years ago.Thathad been a devastating experience and he was beginning to realizethat he did want some happiness again in this life.For himself aswell as Jesse.
His mother was terrific: caring andcompassionate and believe it or not, didn’t interfere with his life– too much.
“Is Jesse all right?How did the poetrygathering go tonight?I wanted to be there, but my foot stillhurts.”She had tripped over a rug a few days ago and almostsprained her ankle.The doctor had said to stay off it for as longas she could.Since Jeanne was always moving, Sandy doubted itwould be long enough.
“Jesse’s fine and the gathering was great.The audience was so responsive and appreciative.All the cowboypoets were super, especially Dave.You know how good he is.Tonighthe was even better.”Sandy was proud of all his cowboy poetfriends.They deserved the praise they got.
“Okay, then what?”She seemed a little crankythis morning, but that was about to change.
“Mom, I’ve…met someone.”
There was stunned silence on the line andthen she exploded.
“Saints be praised!Who is it?What’s hername?What does she do?It isn’t that awful Amy, is it?”
“…Ah, no to Amy, definitely.Her name is LilyCable and she’s Jesse’s new teacher this year at school.Have youheard anything about her yet?”Jeanne had a nose for news and Sandywas anxious to hear what his very sociable mother had pickedup.
“Sweetie, of course, I’ve heard of her.Ihear that she’s beautiful – looks a bit like the actress AudreyHepburn.You know – fromBreakfast at Tiffany’s?”
“I’m drawing a blank here, Mom.”
“…Also, the kids love her at school, shemakes great fudge that she sells at my friend Millie’s candy storeand Amy Breen hates her.”
Sandy smiled.No one could put anything overhis mother.She knew everything going on in town.
“Wait a minute,” she began.“Did you say LilyCable?Cable?Where do I know that name from?”Jeanne was soquiet he could hear her breathing.
“Got it!I knew Sam Cable who went to schoolwith your dad way back when.I think Sam’s dad was named Joe… Yes!That’s right.I remember my mother saying he took a lot of teasingwith the name Joe Cable.”She finally paused.“Lt.Joe Cable --ring any bells?Younger Than Springtime Are you,” shesang.
“What are you talking about?”Sandy blinkedwith confusion, but then his mother did that to him from time totime with her incessant movie talk.
“Well, you’re apparently too young toremember, but that song is from the grand old movieSouthPacificand sung by a handsome young Lt.Joe Cable.My motherwould kid my father occasionally about leaving him for Joe Cable,if he wasn’t nice to her.Dad was always confused if she meant Joein the movie or Joe in the town.It was pretty funny.”Sandy rolledhis eyes, but still hung on her every word.
“You’re saying that Lily’s parents andgrandparents lived here?”His voice squeaked up a notch.“What?”
“Yes, I know, honey, this is probablyconfusing for you, so let me explain it again.”
“No, thanks.I think I’ve got it.Sam Cablewas a friend of Dad’s in grade school and Joe Cable and Grandpawere friends.”
“Well, Joe and Grandpa Johnson weren’t goodfriends, but they knew each other and their wives were social.It’sa small town.”Jeanne took a breath.“How about that?The Cablesare back in town after all this time.”
“Why did they leave in the first place?Lilymentioned her dad had a small winery up in northern Californiasomewhere.”
“That’s exactly what happened, as I recall.Joe inherited a small ranch up in the Napa-Sonoma area, I think,picked up his family and left.Shocked the heck out of my folks andeverybody else in town.They never thought the Cables would leavesince they seemed so rooted to Naples.I think they had a smallspread around here somewhere.”Her tone changed.“And why… is JoeCable’s granddaughter here now?”
As usual, his mother could get to the heartof things a whole lot quicker than he could.Wondering about thathimself, Sandy wondered if he could get that answer from Lily,without seeming as nosy as his mother.He was anxious to find outthough.She had mentioned having baggage.Was she running away fromsomething or someone?
After they ended the call, Jeanne Johnsonplaced her phone carefully on the counter.She wrapped her armsaround herself and let out a whoop!Her handsome son was finallyinterested in a woman again.He could definitely benefit from thefeminine touch and his sweet son needed a mother.Saints bepraised.But Sam Cable?TheSam Cable?An old Naples familyreturning home.Jeanne wanted to keep her mouth shut about this,but she also was curious about Lily.Maybe a trip to Millie’s candystore was in order.
* * *
CHAPTER SIX
Lily drove her little Chevy up Sandy andJesse’s driveway trying not to gawk at sight before her.It was abeautiful autumn Saturday morning with leafy trees lining thewinding road up to the ranch.The large ranch house was made ofsome kind of white wood that Lily didn’t recognize.There were twostories with large windows reflecting sunlight.Spacious and open,it looked to be welcoming her.
Lily left her car on one side of the longdriveway and nervously walked towards the house.Jesse ran down thesidewalk to meet her, arms outstretched.He was such a lovingchild!Two happy dogs bounded up with him.Sandy walked up behindJesse smiling broadly.Norman Rockwell could have painted thisscene.The dogs and Jesse all converged on Lily at the sametime.
