AARP Hearing Center
Illustration by Nick Matej
17
The reporter glanced over at the older woman at the next table. Pen in hand, she was focused on a leather-bound portfolio spread open on the table. But she wasn’t writing. A full glass of iced tea sat untouched, and condensation slid down the glass into a napkin placed under its base.
There was something in her intensity. The way she stared at the paper as if willing the words to come. The stubborn set of her chin. The white-knuckled grip on the pen. From a quick look, he pegged her as someone who was used to getting what she wanted. She had an air of power about her, evident in the way she held herself. Shoulders low, chin up, back straight.
As though sensing his examination, she turned her head his way and narrowed her icy blue eyes as if perturbed by the disruption.
“Are you writing an article about the blackbirds too?” he asked, trying to cover his nosiness.
“No,” she said, some of the ice thawing from her gaze. “If you must know, I’m trying to rewrite the story of my life.”
Natalie
Late Thursday morning, I hurried along the sidewalk, my ponytail swishing across the back of my neck. I paused to look both ways for a break in the steady stream of traffic before dashing across the street to the grassy median.
I waved to an imposing-looking Josh Kolbaugh as he informed two people that they’d need to relocate their tent from the median to somewhere safer. By the looks of all the tents, chairs, and hammocks strung up along the full length of the median, Josh had a busy day ahead of him, rousting the birders from their makeshift roosts.
With another quick look, I darted across the street in front of Hodgepodge.
“Crosswalk, next time, Natalie!” Josh yelled, his big voice like a thunderclap.
Looking back at him, I said, “Sorry!” I noted, too, that the campers suddenly picked up the pace of packing their belongings, as though not wanting to be on the receiving end of his bad side. Smart people, those birders.
A bell rang out as I walked into Hodgepodge. I took a moment to adjust to the dim lighting, but only a moment. I was on break and didn’t have much time to spare. Not that Anna Kate would mind if I was late getting back, but I would. I took pride in my work ethic.
Needlepoint sachets scented the air with balsam pine. Shoppers chattered loudly. Even though the small store had opened only fifteen minutes ago, it was at capacity.
Marcy had three people in line at the register, so I didn’t want to bother her. Instead, I signaled that I was going to set the grocery sack of headbands, bow ties, and hair bows behind the counter. There was an invoice in the bag based on our previous consignments, so I didn’t feel the need to stick around and keep Marcy from her customers.
I was heading toward the counter when I spotted Cam Kolbaugh hanging a framed photo on a wall near a display of local pottery, so I detoured over to see him. I stepped up close to catch a glimpse of the photo without disturbing him and saw River lying near Cam’s feet. His tail thumped against the wooden floor when he spotted me.
The photo was a shot of fireflies dancing in a moonlit meadow. Dark yet light, whimsical yet somehow somber. It was utterly captivating.
“That’s beautiful, Cam,” I said.
Cam startled, nearly knocking me over as he jumped back, mumbling, “Sweet Jesus,” as he grabbed hold of me to keep me from falling over.
“Sorry,” I said once I was steady on my feet. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“No, no.” His hands squeezed my shoulders. “It’s not your fault. I must be getting rusty.”
River jumped up and pawed at Cam’s foot with a whimper.
Cam’s eyes had dimmed, and his arms were straight, locked. His breathing had quickened and his hands trembled.
“Rusty?” I asked, not quite following along.
“Once upon a time I was highly trained not to be snuck up on.” He finally released his grip, and then gave my shoulders a friendly you’re-good-as-new pat.
“Oh gosh, Cam. I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking.” My heart hurt for him and all he’d been through as a soldier.
“It’s okay, Natalie.” He smiled. “Old habits are hard to break is all.”
“You sure you’re okay?”
The light slowly came back to his eyes and River lay down, setting his head on his paws. “I’m sure. How’re you doing, by the way?”
“I’m okay,” I said, trying to be as honest as possible. “It comes and goes.”
“I get that.” He walked over and picked up another photo to hang. “Do you need a ride to your appointment this afternoon?”
As much as I wanted to take him up on that offer, I couldn’t lie. “No, my father’s loaning me his car.”
“Check the hood for nests beforehand.” He aligned the picture wire on the back of the frame with a hook on the wall.
I smiled. “I will.”
I studied the newest photo, a doe drinking from a pool of water at the base of a skinny waterfall. Despite the fact that the sight of water usually gave me palpitations, this image radiated tranquility. “Is this near here?”
“Up near my cabin, well off public trails.”
“No wonder you like it up there so much. It’s so … peaceful.”
“Even more so in person. If you’re interested in seeing it, River and I’d be happy to show you and Ollie one day, as long as you promise not to tell its secret location. The last thing I need is all these birdwatchers up there, getting lost in the woods.” At his name, River wagged his tail.
Suddenly, I wanted to see that spot more than anything. To feel it. But hiking with Ollie would be a challenge, and then there was the water situation … “Maybe one day.” I checked my watch. “I should probably get going, since my break is almost over.”
“It was nice seeing you, Natalie. Maybe …”
When he looked away and didn’t finish his thought, I prompted him. “What?”
“It’s nothing.”
“You sure?” I asked.
He nodded.
“Then I guess I’ll see you around.” I bent and petted River’s ears. “And you, too.” He licked my hand, probably smelling bacon on it yet again.
As I turned away from them, two people in the far corner of the shop caught my eye. I blinked, wondering if I was seeing things. But no. Faylene Wiggins and my mother were in full conversation. Well, Faylene was. Mama, whose back was to me, seemed only to be listening.
I looked around, wondering where Ollie was, since Faylene was keeping her today. Suddenly nervous, I pretty much ran over, tucking around displays like I was a pro at obstacle courses.
“Natalie!” Faylene’s eyes lit up when she saw me. “This is a surprise seeing you here.”
My gaze dropped to the double-wide umbrella stroller beside her, and the smile came slowly as I saw Ollie and Lindy-Lou fast asleep side by side, their tiny hands clasped together.
“Aren’t they the most precious?” Faylene asked.
The corners of Mama’s eyes crinkled as she pushed a loose curl off Ollie’s slack face. “They are most certainly that.” Her gaze shifted to me. “Good morning, Natalie. I thought you had work today?”
“I’m on break.” Who was this woman smiling at me, and what had she done with Seelie Earl Linden? Not a week ago, she’d been giving me the silent treatment for letting Faylene watch Ollie. Now, Mama was standing here, literally faced with my decision, and acting like it was no big deal. “I just stopped by to drop off some items for the shop.”
“Marcy’s already done sold out of what you brought by on Monday. She can’t keep your handiwork in stock. They come in, they go out, lickety-split. You should consider expanding your line to clothes, blankets.” She laughed. “Heck, you should probably open your own shop. Ooh, Lordy, don’t tell Marcy I said that. I saw you over there talking to Cam. Everything okay? Looked kind of serious.”
My head spun with trying to keep track of the twists and turns in her conversation. “Everything’s fine,” I said. “I was just admiring his photos.”
Mama craned her neck. “Cam? The mountain man?” “Yes, Mama. Cam lives in a cabin up the mountain.” “You and he aren’t—” Mama cut herself off.
Faylene picked up the conversational thread Mama had dropped. She wiggled her eyebrows. “I heard he and you were snuggling on a bench out front not too long ago, and you two looked mighty comfortable with each other at the moonlight movie Friday night.”
Mama’s eyes flew open wide.
My cheeks flamed. “We weren’t snuggling. I had a panic attack and he helped me through it. And no, we aren’t.”
“Bless your heart,” Faylene said. “I’m glad Cam was there to help you out. He’s a good one. One of the best.” She dropped her voice. “His wife ran off with the cable TV guy while Cam was soldiering overseas. Broke his heart, she did. I think she’s plumb out of her mind. You don’t leave a guy like Cam, even if he was gone a lot. Men like him and Josh are hard to come by.” She tsked.
I glanced over at Cam as he hung another picture. My heart hurt for him again. I’d known his marriage had fallen apart, but I never suspected exactly how hard it had gone down.
Mama slid him another look, but didn’t voice any opinions about what kind of man he might or might not be. I was grateful she held her tongue.
“If you’re asking me, Natalie,” Faylene said, as she suddenly felt the need to examine her painted fingernails, “I think you and Cam would be good together. I’m just sayin’ it’s something to think about. Think real hard about.”
“Thanks, Faylene,” I said quickly. “But I’m not of a dating mind quite yet.”
She patted my shoulder. “I understand, honey. But sometimes love has a way of sneaking up on you. Keep that in mind, so you’re not startled when it up and taps you on the heart.”
“Love,” Mama said with a huff. “Natalie can’t have known that man longer than a week.”
I corrected her. “Actually, it’s been almost three weeks.”
“Love don’t have no timetable, Seelie,” Faylene said emphatically.
Mama looked to the heavens. “Lord have mercy.”
I had expected more of a protest; after all, a fully bearded, divorced mountain man would never have been welcomed to supper, let alone into my life. But Mama, surprisingly, kept any further opinions to herself.
“Let me see what you’ve got there, Natalie,” Faylene said, motioning to my sack. “I want first dibs, and I can afford to buy lots, now that I’ve rented rooms in my house to the birdwatchers. They’re paying me a pretty penny to stay at my place. All three of my extra bedrooms have been snapped up, and when these guests leave, I’ll take in others. God love those bird-loving tourists.”
“You’ve taken in strangers while you’re caring for Olivia Leigh?” Mama asked, shock and outrage punctuating the question.
“Calm down now, Seelie. I always watch the girls over at Marcy and Josh’s house. I thought you knew that.”
Mama raised an arched eyebrow at me. “No, I didn’t know.”
She might have known, if she’d been talking to me, so I didn’t feel too badly that she’d been unaware.
“But still,” Mama said, pursing her lips. “Strangers in your house, Faylene?”
“You don’t have to make it sound sordid. Consider it more as a boarding house. I’m planning to sign up with Airbnb to help get the word out. Become official, so to speak,” she said, using air quotes around the word “official.”
Disapproval was stamped all over Mama’s face, in her narrowed gaze and those tightly pressed lips. “Don’t you need a license to rent out rooms?”
Faylene set her hands on her hips. “No ma’am. I checked and Wicklow doesn’t currently have any regulations for short-term rentals. I’m guessing that’ll change real quick, once word gets out. Just got to make sure I pay all the proper taxes. Now, look at these booties. So dang cute!”
“Aren’t they, though?” I jumped into the change of subject with both feet. “I found that vintage fabric at a thrift shop in Montgomery years ago, part of an estate sale that had come in that morning. I never bought something so fast in all my life.”
Mama peered into the sack. “What is all this?”
“Consignments.” I quickly explained my deal with Marcy.
Faylene said, “Aren’t they wonderful? Natalie is one talented woman.”
Mama reached in and pulled out a bib. She studied it, turning it this way and that, finally saying, “This is precious, Natalie. The ducks are a lovely print—timeless yet visually appealing. The stitching is very well done, and the striped piping is a wonderful touch.”
Faylene clapped Mama on the back. “Well, she learned from the best, didn’t she? Didn’t you, Natalie?”
“I did. It’s true.”
Mama’s gaze flew up to mine, as though not believing what she was hearing. And, Lord help me, I could have sworn she was blushing.
“Natalie’s talent is all her own,” Mama said. “I can see why her items are selling quickly. And I agree with Faylene, Natalie. You should expand. Perhaps some bigger-ticket items?”
Faylene’s eyes went wide and she pulled a long face laced with surprise.
I imagined I looked the same. The old Mama would have taken all the credit, hoarded it away like a secret stash of chocolate.
“Thank you, Mama. Maybe I’ll add in a few more things,” I said. “Someday.”
“If you start making dresses, you let me know,” Faylene said. “I’ll be first in line to buy one for Lindy-Lou.”
Mama eyed the grocery sack I still held. “But perhaps ...”
Ah, here it comes. The nitpicking, can’t-help-herself-from-butting-in matriarch. It was almost a relief to have her back. Because I knew how to deal with that woman. The other one? Not so much. “... a more professional method of deliv—” Mama abruptly cut herself off. Then she laughed.
Looking as flabbergasted as I felt, Faylene said, “You okay there, Seelie?”
“Oh, I’m fine,” Mama said. “Natalie, you do things the way you want. Don’t pay me any mind, hear?”
I nodded. I couldn’t believe what I heard, but I heard it just the same. With only a few minutes left to get back to the café, I couldn’t help asking what these two were doing together—they weren’t ones to associate during the day. Or ever. “What are you two doing over here, anyway?”
“Oh, I was just telling Seelie here all I know about Eden Callow,” Faylene said. “You could have blown me over with a feather when Seelie came in and asked about Eden. Eden, of all people. I mean, whoever would have thought? Not me, that’s who.”
Mama caught my eye, and I was surprised to see humor in my mother’s gaze.
Surely, my father had been wrong. Mama had to be medicated. In all my life I’d never seen her amused by Faylene’s ramblings. “Eden?” I said.
Mama clutched her pearls. “I thought I’d try to get to know her, after all.”
“Better late than never,” Faylene added with a firm nod.
“The only way I can think to do that is through people who knew her.” Mama dropped her pearls and added, “But I’m not having much luck. It seems Eden mostly kept to herself.”
Faylene snapped her fingers. “You know, my cousin Mary Beth was a classmate of Eden’s. She might have more information for you.”
Mama said, “Thank you for your help, Faylene.”
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