Chapter Ten

 

Iian loved working outside in the dirt. He enjoyed working in the yard as much as he liked cooking in his kitchens.

 

The weather had turned, so he could finally till the dirt in his garden area. Pulling weeds and tilling the ground gave him great pleasure. The smells of the fresh-turned dirt always made it feel more like spring. Ever since he could remember, they’d had a small garden on the land; after all, there was a little over twelve acres. Living by himself in the big house, he hadn’t change the tradition. Sure, he’d cut back from planting too much. If there was extra, he always took it to his brother’s or sister’s place.

 

He had a few apple and pear trees that lined the small garden area. Looking around, he could see that they were starting to bloom. There were two rows of grapes that he always enjoyed. He’d even thought about adding another row or two to see if he could make his own wine. He’d gone online and found a great starter wine recipe that he really wanted to try his hand at.

 

He loved cooking, but he especially loved to pull his own fresh vegetables and fruit from his back yard and cook with them. Most people couldn’t tell the difference, but with his heightened sense of smells and taste, he could easily pick out his own grown foods over store bought every time. He had a larger herb garden to the side. He loved to take fresh herbs into the restaurant to use when he cooked.

 

Todd often helped him with the garden. Iian thought it was because he liked to use the old tiller that he pulled behind Chester, Todd’s huge black shire horse. His brother was weird when it came to pulling that big wooden thing behind the huge beast. Iian told him that he looked like a character off Little House on the Prairie. Todd told him that it was his way to get in touch with the past. Iian laughed at him and would sit back to watch the show. Iian preferred driving the John Deere they’d purchased the same year Todd had gotten the horse.

 

Now the barn sat empty, since Todd had moved Chester to his newly renovated barn at his house. If the truth was known, Iian missed having the beast around. Maybe he’d get himself a horse, something he could ride through his fields on. Maybe even take down to the beach.

 

He wouldn’t mind having a few horses. Maybe when he had kids he could teach them to ride.

 

He could just imagine his own kids; their blonde little heads, with blue eyes, and a small dimple at the corner of their mouths when they smiled. Shaking his head, he realized the person he was thinking of as their mother. She was the only one he’d ever imagined having kids with.

 

He just needed to make sure to prove to her that his intentions were forever. He didn’t want there to be any doubt in her mind that he wanted her to stay in Pride with him, in this house where she belonged.

 

She noticed a change in her mother since they had moved into the cabin. Her mother had changed, her mental state and even the way she dealt with small things had changed. It wasn’t just the things she did in the middle of the night anymore. Once, Allison had been painting on the front porch and she’d been so engulfed with her work, she hadn’t seen her mother walk by. An hour later, when she had gone inside, her mother was gone. She’d known true panic then.

 

The doctors had warned her about Alzheimer patients sometimes wondering off. Thoughts of terrible things ran through her head. First she’d sprinted to the beach, in hopes that she had gone there. Then she’d thought about the woods. Had her mother walked there? Was she lost? Should she call someone? She rushed back to the cabin to double checked that she hadn’t returned home, she picked up the phone and called Megan.

 

“Oh, your mother is here. I’m sorry, Allison, I should have called you when she arrived half an hour ago. I thought you knew.” Megan sounded a little tense.

 

“Is everything alright?”

 

“Yes, yes, she’s fine. She’s rocking Sara out on the front porch. I’m truly sorry, Ally. I should have known to call you.”

 

“Please don’t worry. It’s not your fault. She must have walked right by me. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I guess I need to put a bell around her neck.”

 

They both laughed.

 

The second time her mother wondered off had been just as stressful.

 

It was the fact that Allison hadn’t gotten a full night’s sleep since she’d brought her mother to the cabin that really concerned her. Was she destined to live this way forever? Being woken every night by her mother was extremely difficult and very stressful. She couldn’t relax. When she showered, she was concerned her mother would wander off.

 

Even when she was at work, she was worried that her mother was causing problems. Megan had been overly gracious in having her mother stay with her during the days since they’d moved into the cabins. It was a relief knowing that her friend enjoyed spending time with her.

 

Megan kept assuring her that her mother was a great help with the guests and her children. She’d claimed that she hadn’t had any little episodes while staying with them, but Ally wondered if she was just being kind to protect her.

 

But her final decision came on a stormy night less than two weeks after the fire.

 

They had been over at Todd and Megan’s for dinner. Iian, Lacey, and Aaron had all been there as well. It had been such a lovely family dinner that when she and her mother had walked home, Allison’s head had been comfortably numb.

 

After reaching their cabin, Allison decided to take a hot bath.

 

Ten minutes into her bath, she heard a crash. Pulling on her robe, she went to find her mother. Her mother stood in the living room looking around with huge eyes.

 

“Mom?” She approached her slowly. “Mom, are you okay?”

 

Her mother spun around quickly and yelled, “Who are you? How did you get in here?”

 

Taking a step back, she held out her hands to her mother.

 

“Mom, it’s me, Ally.”

 

“Where are Dean and Steve? I don’t remember how I got here? Where are my brothers? I want my brothers.”

 

Dean and Steve were Allison’s uncles. Dean had died in Vietnam before Allison had been born. Steve was retired and living in Florida with his wife of thirty years and their two children.

 

“Mom, it’s okay. I’m here. It’s me Ally.” She tried to step forward.

 

“Don’t! I want to go home! I don’t want to be here.” Her mother took a step for the door.

 

What would she do if her mother took off? Run after her in the rain in her bath robe? Trying to think ahead, she saw her sandals by the front door. If she had to, she could quickly put those on.

 

If her mother did take off, short of tackling her, she didn’t know how she would convince her to come back to the house.

 

“Mom, we’re in Megan’s cabins. Remember the fire? We moved here a few weeks back. Remember you get to spend time with Matthew and Sara?” Allison reached into her mind to think of things her mother would enjoy hearing.

 

That stopped her backwards shuffle towards the front door and she blinked a few times.

 

“The baby? Where did I put the baby?” Her mother looked around the room frantically.

 

“It’s okay, the baby is with Megan. She’s safe. Mom?”

 

“The baby is safe?”

 

“Mom?”

 

“Shh,” her mother held her finger over her lips. “You’ll wake the baby,” she whispered in a stern voice.

 

She knew it was time to make finding a place for her mother her main focus, at least until she could figure out a more permanent living situation.

 

The next day, she’d driven into town and talked to Dr. Stevens about it. She’d even talked to several of the elders in town about the best place for her mother to be. Everyone pointed her to one place: the Hotel just outside of Edgeview. The Hotel was a retirement home and according to several people she’d talked to, it was the most qualified to help her mother out. They all claimed it was the cleanest, friendliest place.

 

Sitting outside the old building, she started second guessing herself. There was a large sign that hung on the two story brick building that said “The Hotel” in large gold letters. Looking at the place it looked more like an old high school than a retirement home. The building was well maintained, the grounds were nicely groomed, and the place looked very friendly. The fact that there weren’t old people sitting out front or even walking around out front, concerned her. Maybe it was nap time? Maybe everyone was inside playing bingo?

 

Taking a deep breath she told herself it was just the first place she was checking out. No decisions had to be made today.

 

When she entered the double doors she noticed several things. First, there was an actual lobby desk, much like a hotel would have right up front. Second, a friendly, darker woman sat behind the counter, she wore a starched white shirt. Her smiled spread wide as Allison approached her. There was a beautiful display of flowers on a large table next to two bright red comfortable-looking couches. It looked like a lobby, sounded like a lobby, and even smelled like a lobby of a high rated hotel.

 

“You must be Allison Adams,” the woman said, standing up and holding her hand out. Allison approached her and took the woman’s hand in a friendly shake.

 

“Yes, I’m here to meet with Mrs. Sims.”

 

“That’s just fine. You have yourself a seat over there and I’ll ring her right up. Do you want some coffee, soda, or water?”

 

“No, I’m fine, thank you,” Allison said and took a seat on the couch facing a large stone fireplace. Less than two minutes later, a shorter woman in a dark suit walked into the room.

 

“Hello, I’m Stephanie Sims.” After shaking Allison’s hand, she said, “Would you like to take a tour?”

 

“Yes, please. I have some questions.”

 

“Please, ask away.”

 

Allison followed Mrs. Sims to an older elevator. The brass doors slid open quietly.

 

Once inside, Allison noted that the facade was completed with elevator music.

 

“Where is everyone?” Allison blurted out once the doors closed.

 

“Oh,” Mrs. Sims laughed. “We don’t have them locked up. Most everyone spends time upstairs or out back. The building used to be split into several other businesses. The second floor of the building is actually on the ground level out back. We have a wonderful garden and deck area that everyone enjoys. All the tenants live upstairs since it’s more cozy to be around other people. The downstairs is mainly for visitors and large group events such as Bingo, dances, and parties.”

 

The doors slid open and they stepped out. There was a long hallway that opened up to a large room near the end. Allison noticed a nurses’ station and saw two middle-aged women in cream-colored nurse outfits. They were busy behind the countertop, but both looked up and smiled as they walked by.

 

Then Allison followed Mrs. Sims down the hallway and turned to the left. The hallway opened up to a larger room with a wall of windows. The windows had a view of a beautiful, lush green garden which overlooked the old part of town and just beyond that was the most breath taking view of the ocean. Older people of all different races and ages lounged about either inside the room or sat just outside under colorful umbrellas.

 

Two hours later, Allison walked back to her car with a smile on her face and a huge weight lifted from her heart.

 

Having the experience of sitting and talking to everyone who lived at the Hotel, helped ease her mind about her decision. Her time there made her appreciate her mother even more. Everyone was so happy and friendly.

 

The short drive to Megan’s allowed her to sort through several things in her mind. Mrs. Sims wanted to meet with her mother tomorrow. They had a wonderful room available for her. The room was larger than the one she was now staying in, with a view that overlooked the back garden on top of it. The medical benefits of the staff and being closer to the hospital couldn’t be overlooked either. Having a staff that was there twenty-four-seven was invaluable.

 

When she drove up to the house and parked her car next to Megan’s jeep, she stopped and watched her mother rocking Sara on the front porch swing.

 

Opening her door, she could hear her mother singing to the sleeping baby. She didn’t want to disturb the wonderful sight, so she just leaned back on her car hood and closed her eyes. Remembering.

 

She must have been five or six and she’d had a bad day at school. One of the kids had told her that her drawing of a duck looked more like a big yellow doodie. This news had crushed Allison.

 

She’d run home after school and straight into her mother’s waiting arms.

 

The song was more than a soothing song, it was a memory she wanted to hold onto for the rest of her life. One she’d hoped her children would enjoy. Knowing she’d taken a step today to help keep that dream alive, she stepped onto the front porch and sat next to her mother.

 

“She’s so precious, so small. Much like you were at this age.” Her mother continued to rock and hold the child.

 

Smiling over at her mom, she watched as Megan walked out the front door.

 

“Oh, Allison, I didn’t hear you drive up. Here Teresa, let me take her from you.”

 

“Oh, do you have to?”

 

Smiling, Megan walked over and took her sleeping child.

 

“I’ll just go lay her down and be right back. Allison, do you want some tea?”

 

“No, I’m fine. Thank you for letting my mother stay here.”

 

“No problem, she was an enormous help today.”

 

When Megan disappeared through the door, she looked over to her mother.

“I just visited the most wonderful place. Mom, how would you like to stay at a fancy hotel in Edgeview?”

 

Lacey Stevens felt fat, and miserable. How could women say they enjoyed being pregnant? Oh, it had its moments. Like when Jr., as she liked to call her unborn baby, would kick. The baby was also a great excuse for eating a second helping of dessert. Right now as she sat on her back porch watching her two dogs, Cleo and Bernard, run circles in the back yard, she just felt miserable. And she still had a month to go.

 

She remembered when Megan had been pregnant. She’d looked radiant. Of course Megan was a lot taller than her own five-foot-four-inch frame. Megan had truly glowed, where Lacey felt like her pregnancy light had never come on. Sure, everyone told her that she glowed, but she just couldn’t see it. Her husband had assured her that he found her very sexy still and he showed her every chance he could.

 

She was wearing one of her spring dresses, which in her mind reminded her of a fat woman’s mu-mu. On her feet, she looked down and realized she couldn’t see them, were a pair of Aaron’s old flip flops. His feet were almost ten sizes bigger than her petite six-and-a-half-sized feet. Now she knew, even if she couldn’t see them, that her swollen feet rolled over the edges.

 

Taking a deep breath she tried to relax. She didn’t even budge when she heard the front door open and close.

 

“Lacey? It’s Megan. Where are you?”

 

“Back here,” she called out to her sister-in-law. Really, she thought of Megan more as a sister and even called her such most of the time.

 

“What are your plans for the day?” Megan came and sat beside her in the other lawn chair. She noticed how thin she was looking in her spring shorts and top and instantly felt jealous.

 

“Well, I was going to try to make it down to the restaurant to see if I could finish some paperwork that I know my brother has been avoiding.” She tried to sit up a little bit, but ended up relaxing back in the chair instead.

 

“I was wondering if you could watch the kids for me today. I have a few errands I needed to take care of for the B and B, and didn’t want to have to drag them along.”

 

“Oh, I would love to,” her prospects for the day just brightened. “Are they out in the car?”

 

“No, they’re at home, Todd’s still there. He’s got a few meetings around eleven. Can you drive yourself over? Or do you need me to…” She broke off at Lacey’s look. “Okay, okay. I get it. You can drive yourself,” she smiled. “I won’t be long.” She stood and kissed her sister’s cheek. “Thanks so much. See you around two.”

 

When Lacey arrived at Megan and Todd’s place, she had changed into a pair of black leggings and a bright yellow top, which had cheered her up some.

 

Traversing the porch stairs took some doing, but she managed to climb them and was a little out of breath at the top. When was this kid going to come out?

 

Opening the door, which hadn’t been locked in years, she almost peed her pants.

 

“Surprise!” everyone screamed. Megan, Allison, Todd, Iian, and over three dozen women from all ages jumped out at her in the hallway.

 

“What?” In all the years Lacey had been living in this town, this was the first time she’d been truly oblivious to something that was going on.

 

Megan walked up to her and hugged her. “Welcome to your baby shower. I’m just paying you back for my surprise shower. Did you think we’d forget you?”

 

“No…well, yes, well…” Lacey was speech-less. “I hadn’t even thought about it. I guess I’ve been so preoccupied with when this kid is going to come out, I totally forgot about having a shower.”

 

Everyone laughed.

 

Allison really enjoyed her time at her friend’s baby shower as she sat and talked to a few friends she hadn’t seen in a while. It seemed it was a Jordan tradition to not know ahead of time the sex of the baby you were having. The baby gifts and decorations all varied in colors and she’d enjoyed buying a unisex outfit for the baby. She’d even purchased a large stuffed elephant to go along with it.

 

It felt good to sit in a crowded room full of people she knew. After the initial surprise, Todd and Iian had quickly made excuses and left. She thought it was because they didn’t want to be in a house with so many women.

 

The party wound down and after a few hours the only remaining people were herself, Megan, and Lacey. Megan’s kids had been moved upstairs for nap time. Lacey was sitting on the couch with her feet up on an ottoman, her gifts spread out around her. Allison thought she saw her friends head droop a few times, so she quietly went to help Megan clean up in the kitchen.

 

“I had a wonderful time today. I think we surprised her, don’t you?” She asked while drying a large platter.

 

“Oh, I loved the look on her face. You know that’s the first time I’ve seen her looked surprised.” Megan chuckled.

 

Allison laughed, “I remember once, when Abby and I had tried to scare her when she was babysitting. She’d just put us to bed and we’d hidden our Halloween masks under our blankets. So, when she came to check up on us, we jumped out from under the bed screaming.” She chuckled with the memory.

 

“What did she do?”

 

“She calmly stated that if the two monsters didn’t get back in bed, she wouldn’t bring her Barbie house and car over the next time she babysat. She hadn’t even blinked. It’s funny how she and Iian have that extra sense to know what’s going on.” Letting out a sigh at the thought of Iian, she tried to cover the heat that seeped into her face.

 

“Girl,” Megan said, smiling, “you don’t have to hide it from me. I may not have the extra senses that Lacey and Iian have, but I can tell there’s something between you two.”

 

She smiled over at her friend. “I think the whole town knows it. I just wish I’d get a better feeling of what he thought of me. I just have to decide what I think of him. I mean, I’ve had this thing for him for as long as I can remember.”

 

Turning around, Allison leaned against the countertop. “You know life is short. If there is anything to learn about by what my mother is going through, it’s that I need to enjoy what I have, when I have it. I can’t deny that I’d love to have a relationship with him. I just want to make sure it’s right for us.”

 

“It’ll come. The answers will come. If it takes a little time, just sit back and enjoy what happens, when it does.” She turned to her friend. “I’m glad you helped me with this party. You really do have a great eye for decorating. Come on, lets go sit outside and enjoy the peace and quiet. At least until either the kids wake up or Lacey does.” They both laughed.