“I don’t know. But if it is…”
“Did you know anything about this?”
“No, but someone must have.”
Amelia returned the book to Ellie. “And you think that’s the reason Mother showed up early, to stop him from proposing to you?”
“It must be.” Ellie was now more convinced than ever. “Couple my suspicion with the phone call you say she received, and this has her fingerprints all over it. But for Clara to betray us like that would be out of character for her. She adored Jack. Still does as far as I know. Besides, unless Jack told her about his intentions, I don’t think Clara knew.”
“Have you asked Mother?”
“No. And even if I had, do you honestly think she would tell me the truth?”
“Good point. But why get all worked up about it now? I’m not trying to downplay what she may or may not have done, but that was twelve years ago. Everyone has moved on—you, him… Youhavemoved on, haven’t you?”
“Yes. I mean, I had. Or maybe I thought I had,” Ellie said. “Anyway, when I saw his picture on the back cover, when I read those words, I don’t know… Suddenly I was nineteen again, feeling things I haven’t felt in a long time. Too long.” She shook her head. “I know how ridiculous that sounds, but…”
Amelia joined Ellie on the couch. “No. It’s not ridiculous. You were in love. He was your first love. That’s a feeling that never goes away no matter how much time passes. I imagine seeing his picture has stirred those emotions that have been lying dormant all these years, making you feel things you haven’t felt in a long time.”
“I guess you’re right.” She forced a frail smile. “So what do you think I should do?”
“That depends,” said Amelia. “When’s the last time you thought of Jack?”
“Not since Christmas. I was going through some of my old things when I came across several artifacts—an old bottle, a ticket stub from a Fourth of July fireworks show, and an arrowhead—from that summer. I don’t know why, but seeing those things again stirred some old memories.”
“Well, the way I see it, you’ve got three choices. One, you can do nothing. Two, you can call or write him a letter. Or three, you can get brave and go see him.”
See him? The thought was terrifying. “After the way things ended, I don’t think seeing him is an option.”
“Then write him. It’s the least you can do. And in the meantime, if you really want answers, talk to Mother. Maybe then you’ll have some peace of mind.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
Snowball Effect
Despite her sister’s advice, a month passed, then another, and Ellie still hadn’t written Jack. Penning a letter to the man who had once stolen her heart proved more difficult than she imagined, so she decided to wait until summer, when she’d have more time to think.
* * *
The day before the end of the semester, Ellie was sitting in her office, grading final exams, when a call came in.
“No!” Ellie felt the air go out of her lungs. “What happened?”
“Heart attack. At least that’s what it looks like.” Marie sighed into the phone. “Apparently someone found her and rushed her to the hospital, but it was too late.”
Ellie struggled to comprehend the news. “W-What about arrangements? There’ll be a funeral, won’t there?”
“Yes, but no plans have been made. I’m packing some things as we speak and expect to be on the road within the hour. I’ll know more once I get there. I spoke to Amelia a short while ago, and she’s planning to leave in the morning.”
“I’m coming too,” said Ellie, thinking it was the least she could do.
“Are you sure? What about work?”
“Tomorrow’s my last day. I’m proctoring an exam in the morning but can leave around lunchtime. I’ll pack a suitcase tonight so I can go straight from work. I’ll go ahead and reserve a room at the motel in Dandridge.”
“Phooey,” said Marie. “You can stay with us at Clara’s. Besides, it will be nice to have both my girls under one roof again, even if it is under less-than-ideal circumstances.”
Ellie considered that, picturing the weekend ending in disaster. “If you insist.”
