Page 85 of The Party Line

“I can’t ever remember a time when this table has been full,” Mama said. “It feels good.”

“Amen,” I agreed. “And Gina Lou has an announcement to make while we are here together, but before she does ...” I raised a glass. “To many more times like this.”

Connor clicked his glass against mine. “Hear, hear!”

Jasper touched his to Everett’s and then John’s. “I hope that folks in heaven can look down on us, because if they can, Gracie will be so proud to see this.”

Gina Lou pushed back her chair and stood up. “I can’t do this without crying, so, Lila, you’re going to have to tell them.”

I got to my feet. “I’m not sure I can, but I’ll give it my best try. Mama says that Aunt Gracie was an early proponent of women empowering other women, and I want to keep that legacy alive. She gave several young women scholarships to go to college. She helped others open a small business or helped them be productive in many other ways. So I am giving Gina Lou and Stephanie both scholarships to the college of their choice. The funds will go toward books and tuition, also for dorm and meal fees—or if Gina Lou and Stephanie would rather share an apartment and cook their own food, that’s an option.”

The only sound in the whole room was the rustle of my dress on the wooden chair seat when I sat back down. Stephanie’s eyes were as big as saucers. Tears dripped off Gina Lou’s and Rachel’s cheeks.

John cleared his throat twice and then said, “You’ve done so much for Gina Lou, giving her a job and letting her live here and”—he paused and wiped his eyes with his napkin—“and even letting her borrow your vehicle. We can’t accept something this big.”

“It’s Gracie’s money that is doing this,” Jasper said. “So I guess you’ll have to argue with her, and that’s going to be a tough job.”

“I still think I’m dreaming,” Gina Lou said.

“Thank you,” Stephanie whispered.

“Thank youis hardly enough,” Rachel said. “What can we do to repay you?”

“Well ...” I paused. “I’ve given this a lot of thought, and maybe y’all won’t even be interested in what I’ve got in mind. I sure don’t want to make Brenda at the Dairy Queen mad at me for poaching her help, but when Gina Lou leaves, I could use someone to clean house and cook. And, John, I don’t know what you’re doing now, but I’m going to need someone to oversee the strawberry crops. I’m learning how theyregrow in the fall and spring, but someone who understands all the business would be great.”

Grow.That word stuck in my head. Just a short while ago, I had met Connor, and look how much our relationship had grown.

“Gina Lou tells me that y’all grow some for your own use, so I reckon you’ll know what to do, even if it is a bigger operation,” I went on. “And, Rachel, I plan to use a lot of my strawberries for making wine, so you could also help Annie and Mama in the winery I’m going to build. They haven’t agreed to help me, either, but none of you have to decide today. You’ve got all summer to think about it.”

“We’ll talk it over,” John said. “And I’ll add my thanks to the girls’. Like Gina Lou said, this is a dream come true for them.”

“And like Jasper said, you can thank Aunt Gracie.” I smiled.

“Speaking of possible and definite changes ...,” Everett said. “Connor?”

“Now?” he asked.

Everett smiled. “No time like the present.”

“You deliver the news,” Connor said.

“Okay, then,” Everett said with a nod. “I’m retiring and moving to one of my rental properties here in Ditto—the little house next to Sarah’s place. I’m not waiting around for Connor to hear my will read. He’s young and more than able to take over my businesses. Except for the strawberries. I’m breaking my lease, Lila, and turning that over to you as of right now.”

“What are you going to do? Take up knitting?” Jasper asked.

“No, I’m taking a page from Sarah’s book,” Everett said. “I’ve always wanted to travel, but my wife was a homebody. The first thing on my agenda is that I’m going on an Alaskan cruise for senior citizens at the end of May. Then I’m going to fly down to the Bahamas and spend a few days with my son. If I like the cruise thing, I may do a long one to see more of the world. You want to go with me, Jasper?”

“No, sir!” he declared and shook his head. “I’m a homebody, too, and them cruises probably wouldn’t let me bring Sassy with me. I’ll juststay right here in Ditto, and you can tell me all about your adventures when you come home.”

I leaned over toward Connor and laid my head on his shoulder. “Change is good, right?”

“We’re fixin’ to find out!”

Everyone had left after the party except for Gina Lou and Stephanie. In my mind I pictured them in Gina Lou’s bedroom with their phones out and their thumbs working overtime to find what beginning classes they would take in the fall at the University of Texas in San Antonio.

Connor and I finally had a minute to ourselves, and took a couple of cold beers to the front porch. We sat down on the porch swing, and he cupped my face in his hands. “I’ve been wanting to do this all evening.” His lips closed on mine, and once again we were in our own little bubble. When he pulled away, I laid my head on his shoulder and my hand on his chest.

“I love to feel your heartbeat,” I said.

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