Part 27 (2/2)
Try harder.
And she thought of her dad, big Eddie Rothe, strong as a bull, but the Big C got him, and his Rose just had to follow.
They don't call it that anymore, Rae. Cancer. They talk about it now.
I know that. Why is it, Grandma, when half a couple goes, the other half's not far behind? She remembered her mom, the fragile Rose. I'm nothing like her.
You're more like her than you think, Rae.
Rae sniffled and leaned on the memory of Grandma who didn't dry up and blow away like cottonwood leaves in autumn no matter who died.
The Overture emanated from her cell. Rae glanced down through wet eyes, and then answered the call.
”Stephen?”
”Hey, Mom, I hear you've met Callie.”
”Well, I guess you could call it that. She's your new girlfriend?” Rae swallowed the sniffles and hurried on, ”She sounds really nice, Stephen. Very...friendly.” Keep it positive, Rae.
”She's not my girlfriend, Mom.” Stephen had something different in his voice that Rae couldn't identify.
”She sounded like a girl.”
Stephen's laughter roared in her ear. When it quieted, he said, ”She's my fiancee. Callie and I got engaged last week.”
OhmiG.o.d! Rae didn't know it could feel like this. She wasn't one of those clinging moms. It was just that she thought she'd have more time to prepare.
”Mom? Say something.”
”I'm...speechless. I'm...happy.” Yes, happy is good. ”Are you happy?” Dumb, Rae. What's he supposed to say? Duh.
Stephen laughed again, a joyous eruption so like Anthony's laughter had been. That was answer enough.
”When is the wedding?”
”Next year, when we graduate.”
Good. That means they don't have to get married.
Rae, n.o.body has to get married any more.
”You met her in school?”
”Callie's a criminology major, too.”
Not two of them in the same household. ”That's nice. You'll have a lot in common.” See, I can be tactful.
”Since we're off for summer break, we'd like to come out for the Fourth of July. Then you two can meet.”
”How about Tori and Jeffrey? We could make it a kind of family reunion-engagement party.”
”I doubt they could get plane tickets that fast. Mom, plane tickets are something you really need to get in advance.”
Tori's talked to her brother about next spring.
Why wouldn't she?
Stephen continued into Rae's silence, ”You've got about two weeks to get ready. Can you do that? How's your schedule?”
”I'm just winding something up. You'll stay at the house?”
”If that's okay.”
Joy, antic.i.p.ation, and dread dumped on her like a summer snowstorm. ”Uh, I'll get everything ready.” So, why was she stuttering? ”Uh, one room or two?”
Her son's laughter again, like music. Don't get maudlin, Rae.
”One. That's okay?”
”Sure. I just needed to know how many sets of sheets and all that stuff.” See, Grandma, I'm bending, I'm bending.
”Okay, I'll email you our itinerary. Gotta go, Mom. I love you.”
”Me, too. Can't wait to meet Callie.”
Stephen's news blasted Rae out of her snail sh.e.l.l mode. She started up the car and turned back toward Danny's. While she drove, she conjured up pictures of what Callie might look like.
At the house, Rae saw that Danny's truck was back. Then she saw him around the side directing the operation by the looks of it. He had more color in his cheeks now, didn't have that hospital pallor as if he'd just crawled out from under a rock.
She parked and got out of the car. ”Hey, Danny, I'm ready for the grand tour.”
Danny waved, then jogged over to where Rae stood and gave her a brotherly hug. ”Another week and we'll be able to inhabit the entire house,” he said. ”To actually have a kitchen again. I never thought I'd be sick of eating out.”
”Where are you and Josh staying?”
”In the house. The bas.e.m.e.nt. Or the garden level. Bas.e.m.e.nt sounds low cla.s.s--as in bargain bas.e.m.e.nt.”
”No bargains here, I'm sure.”
Danny gave her an edgy laugh as he led her from the new deck into the new kitchen. All granite and stainless steel. A huge island dominated the center. Rae noted the absence of cigarette packs on the island. Her eyes skimmed the other surfaces, sweeping for ash trays, finding none. ”I'm impressed,” Rae said.
Danny smiled. ”I've gone into partners.h.i.+p with Pat. This is going to be our showcase for future remodel jobs.”
<script>