Page 14 of Second Chance in Charlevoix
“But Skipper’s mother thought differently,” Marlowe pointed out. “That worries me. Irene Malone never did take to Izzy and the divorce only made things worse.”
“Yes, but children don’t save marriages. At least that’s what I’ve read. They just add to the strain. Still, Marlowe, I don’t want to see Izzy get hurt.”
“I understand. We may have to keep an eye on the situation.” Which was totally stupid. Their sister wasan adult. Izzy would be horrified if she could hear them, planning to protect her.
The car was quiet for a minute or two. Sam couldn't get Skipper’s mother out of her head. Maybe it was because Skipper was her precious boy, but Mrs. Malone had really given Izzy a hard time. “Remember how his mother was at their wedding?” Sam would never forget. Irene had played the martyr, losing her precious baby boy. When Skipper and Izzy left for the airport for their honeymoon in Punta Cana, his mom could not stop crying.
“No love lost there. Poor Izzy. She’ll have her work cut out for her.”
“Skipper’s dad liked Izzy,” Sam pointed out. Izzy had loved Samuel Malone, maybe because she'd lost her own dad when she was only seven. Samuel worked hard as a mechanic. The man was always good with his hands. “I don’t think Skipper’s dad ever got over his only daughter hightailing it to California.”
“Right, to photograph food. I always thought that was an interesting career,” Marlowe said with a smile. “Very Hollywood.”
“Which is why the Malones never understood it. Izzy’s going to have her work cut out for her. Skipper’s mother blamed Izzy for her husband’s heart attack. Said that he’d never gotten over Skipper’s divorce, although Skipper’s dad had been a heavy smoker all his life.”
“Complicated, when you throw the daughter into that mix,” Marlowe said.
“You got that right. Every family should be as organized as ours.” Sam pulled into the parking lot.
Marlowe snorted. “Right. That’s a joke and you know it.”
The sun was about to set and the shadows were deep around them. The parking lot was rimmed with pine trees and the boughs rustled overhead, releasing a rich pine scent. Jumping out of the SUV, Sam breathed in the fresh smells of spring. The lilacs would be in bloom soon, along with forsythia. Spring came late to Michigan. Certainly later than she’d experienced in Chicago.
Following Marlowe to the front door, Sam didn't know how she felt about bingo. But Izzy had told her that some of the people might look familiar. Some had come to their Christmas open house because they frequented Coffee and Cupcakes.
Sam liked the look of the place as they approached. The front double door of the one story was painted a glossy blue, and the red brick facility was framed by gracious white pillars. Window boxes added a personal touch as did the huge planters. She imagined them filled with geraniums and petunias for summer. Charlevoix always did a wonderful job decorating with their summer flowers.
Marlowe openedone of the massive front doors. As she stepped through, Sam's mind was still focused on Izzy and Skipper. “Usually Izzy is upset with Skipper for one thing or another, but not like this, not like what you’re describing.”
“Time will tell.” Marlowe scanned the large room. “Just look at this crowd.”
“You didn’t tell me that the people dressed up for bingo.” Sam turned back to her sister. Some of the women were wearing dresses. Colorful jewelry winked under the bright lights.
“You have a lot to learn,” Marlowe whispered back, waving to people as she marched toward the front table. “Some take the opportunity to dress up. I see more older gentlemen in the group this time.”
“That must mean that they were expecting Izzy.”
“Or me. Let’s give me some credit, okay?” Turning, Marlowe batted her eyes at Sam.
Within minutes the game had begun, with Marlowe at the mic. Sam recognized four of the women who had come to their Christmas open house. So they also appeared at Izzy’s pastry shop? As a single mom, Izzy worked so hard. Sam would have to stop in and show her support.
“Want you to meet my sister Samantha, better known as Sam,” Marlowe said into the microphone, much to Sam’s embarrassment. “She just got here from Chicago and is making Charlevoix her permanent home.”
“Hi, Sam.” “Hello, Samantha.” Welcomes echoed through the room. Sam was touched by the enthusiastic reception.
“Want to do the calling?” Marlowe whispered, handing over the mic.
“Sure.” Why not jump right in? Sam had done so much of that when they were growing up. If anything was needed, whether it was two dozen cupcakes for school or a new costume Izzy had forgotten to tell her about, Sam stayed up late to make sure it happened.
After Marlowe spun the net cage and retrieved the first slip, Sam called out, “B 55.” The serious expressions on the faces of the residents made her chuckle. Bent over the table, they attacked their multiple cards with the daubers as if they were swatting flies.
Sam was surprised how quickly time passed. After a few bingos, it was time for a break. Gretchen, the activity director, wheeled in an ice cream cart. The group got up to stretch and made their way toward the cart.
“Ice cream?” Marlowe asked. “My treat.”
“Sure. Chocolate chip?” Sam trailed Marlowe over to the cart. An attractive man had arrived. Tall with a dark shock of hair, he looked familiar. His eyes circled the room. When he found Marlowe, he headed straight for her, although he was stopped repeatedly by residents, mainly the women. Sam noticed that he gave every resident his full attention. She liked that.
“You know him, right?” she murmured to her sister, after swallowing her first icy bite of chocolate chip ice cream.
