The man broke into a huge smile. His smile. Of course. I would know that smile anywhere.
Now that I recognized him, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t immediately known who he was. He was just older, more filled out. “Donnie!” My voice actually sounded happy. “I can’t believe it’s you!”
“And I can’t believe you didn’t realize who I was.” He got off the love seat and nearly tackled me in a tight hug. “How could you not know your favorite cousin? Hurt. I am so hurt.” He pulled away from me and clenched his fist over his heart. “I’d think you didn’t love me at all.”
I smiled back at him. A real smile. Donnie had always been able to make things better, no matter what the situation. He’d been the only reason a small part of me had wanted to come back, although I didn’t know howreceptive he would be. So far, it seemed like things were going to be fine.
I glanced at Maudra. She beamed from ear to ear. It was apparent she was very pleased with her part in the surprise. “Donnie needed to come by ’n fix several things today anyway, so we figgered we might as well have some fun.”
Donnie put his arm over my shoulders and led me to the love seat. “Take a load off, cuz. We got some catchin’ up to do. Some, at any rate. It’s not like we don’t have enough time.” He sat back down in his spot. “But no time like the present to start.”
That was faster than I’d been anticipating. The joyous reunion might be shorter than I had hoped for. “Well, I’m not really sure where to begin.”
Donnie reached out and ruffled my hair. He’d always done that since we were kids. Even though he was barely a year older than me, he had fulfilled the role of a big brother. “I find the beginning is always a good—”
Maudra let out a squeal. “Brooke! I tell you! I don’t know what I’m thinkin’. Here we are eatin’ and you don’t got a thing.” I hadn’t even noticed the food on the small wicker table between the chairs. “I’ll go getcha a piece of chocolate cake. You want pink lemonade or limeade?”
I looked at her somewhat incredulously. “It’s nine in the morning. You guys are having cake?”
Maudra raised her chin a little. “It is ten in the mornin’, for yer information. And I can have cake any time I damn well please.” Her smile broadened. “So, which is it? Lemonade or limeade?”
“Pink lemonade would be great. Thanks, Maudra.” As she left the room, I shook my head and looked at Donnie. “She hasn’t changed a bit since we were kids.”
He let out a laugh. “You have no idea. Still doing her own thing. Still one of the best women around.”
All of a sudden, I was nervous to be alone with Donnie. I wasn’t really sure what to say. “It’s really nice of her to let me stay here, especially on such short notice and all.” I eyed my fingers intertwined on my lap.
“So,Brooklyn, you’ve got some ’splainin’ to do.” He gave his best Ricky Ricardo impression. “Whatcha been up to all these years? You don’t write, you don’t call. A guy could think you don’t care.”
“So,Dionysus,” I retorted. Donnie’s face wrinkled in distaste. “How’d you get my number?”
Donnie looked at me, all innocence. “I don’t think it’s fair that you answer my questions with a question, but I’ll let it pass this time.” His face grew more serious. “I hunted around your mom’s place while everything was going down. I found it in a drawer in her bedroom.”
“You’re kidding! She actually had my number?” I couldn’t believe it. I’d figured she’d burnt it years ago.
“Yeah. I’d asked for it several times, but… well, you know your mom.”
“I know.” I looked at him grimly. “Not much of a chance I could forget. I’ve tried.” I watched my feet for a few seconds. There was a blade of grass on my left foot. “About your call, I need to thank you for what you’ve done for Mom the past week or so. Probably more than that, I’d imagine.”
“No big deal, Brooke, it’s just family.”
Maudra whirled into the room with a flourish and set the cake in my lap and handed me a large glass with icedpink lemonade. “Here ya go, dear.” Before she could return to her seat, something dark and furry jumped out of nowhere and scurried up her chair.
I let out a holler. “Maudra!” I reached out to her as if I could stop her from sitting down.
Maudra jumped. “Good Lord, Brooke. Give me a heart attack, why don’tcha?” Her hand was over her chest as she tried to breathe normally.
Donnie burst out laughing, the robust sound filling the room. Maudra glared at him for a moment and then, unable to stifle her giggle, joined in.
It was so out of place that I had to stare at the furry mass in the chair before my brain could accept what my eyes were seeing.
Sitting straight up on its haunches, wide eyes darting back and forth among the three of us, was an enormous raccoon.
Maudra regained control first and went over to her chair, brushed the raccoon to the side with her hand, and sat back down. The raccoon glanced warily once more at Donnie and climbed onto Maudra’s lap.
Maudra reached out and swatted Donnie’s knee. “Hush now. Goodness, ya’d think the damned thing just told a joke with all your carryin’ on.” She began to absentmindedly stroke the raccoon’s back as she returned her focus to me. “Brooke, this here’s Thurston.” She paused and then seemed to think the situation required more explanation. “He’s a raccoon.”
“Yeah, thanks, Maudra, caught that.” I stared at the animal in disbelief. “Only you could get away with having a raccoon for a pet. Where in the world did you get that?”
