Page 78 of Under the Tulip Tree
Early the next morning I called Alden at the boardinghouse to tell him I didn’t need a ride. I simply couldn’t face him until I’d spoken to Frankie. He asked the reason, but I wouldn’t tell him. Not over the telephone.
“Can we meet for dinner somewhere? I have something to tell you.”
We decided on the diner on Main Street at six o’clock.
“Is everything all right?” he asked, the concern in his deep voice nearly bringing me to tears.
“I hope so. I’ll see you tonight.” I hung up, wondering what Alden’s reaction would be to my news.
Mary was already in the kitchen, sipping a cup of coffee, when I arrived.
“Morning.” Her greeting held little enthusiasm. I noted dark circles beneath her eyes as she stared into the mug.
“You’re up early.” I moved to pour myself a cup from the enamel pot on the stovetop. I needed something stronger than orange juice to face this day.
“Buddy didn’t sleep well. He misses his crib.”
I plunked a cube of sugar into the dark liquid, then carried it to the table and sat across from her. I’d been sopreoccupied with discovering who Charlotte Hall was last night after dinner that I’d completely neglected my sister. By the time I came home from Grandma’s, everyone was in bed for the night.
“Is there anything I can do to help? Maybe with the kids?”
She glanced up and shrugged. “Now that Homer’s parents live in Nashville, his dad volunteered to take James to school. It’ll just be Holly and the baby here with me during the day. Besides, you have your all-important job to go to.”
I didn’t tell Mary I’d stayed up half the night wrestling with whether or not I should continue with the FWP. Finally, after the grandfather clock downstairs sounded four chimes, I’d come to my decision.
“Maybe not for long. I know Mama isn’t happy with me going down to Hell’s Half Acre for the interviews.”
Mary’s brows rose. “Did I just hear you say you’re giving in to Mama’s demands?”
I sent her a disparaging look, just like in the old days. “It’s my decision.” I paused before adding, “But I’ll admit she’s worn me down.”
We sat in silence for a while, each sipping our drinks.
“You need to follow your dreams, Lulu.”
Her quiet words surprised me. She met my gaze, looking older than her twenty-five years. “I made one bad decision and look at me now. I love my kids—don’t get me wrong—but this isn’t the life I thought I’d have. Don’t let anyone, not even Mama, take your dreams away from you.”
“Thanks, Sis,” I whispered. We hadn’t been close in years,but in that moment, I felt a kindred spirit with my sister. Briefly I considered telling her about Frankie and Sadie but ultimately decided against it. The story was too long and too convoluted. Besides, I didn’t want her to tell Mama. There would be time enough to confess the whole sordid tale later.
“May I borrow your car today?” I’d planned to take the streetcar to Frankie’s, but now I realized it would be much faster and safer in Mary’s old Hudson.
She nodded. “Sure. After helping me pack things up yesterday, Papa Whitby filled the tank with gas and gave me some extra money.” She heaved a sigh. “He really is a nice man.”
One of the kids called from upstairs, and Mary rose. “The keys are on the table in the foyer,” she said before she exited the kitchen.
I finished my coffee, thinking about the life Mary would never have. But she had three kids she was crazy about. Something good had come from her mistake despite everything.
Was that the key to surviving, no matter what life hands you? Find the good among the ashes?
I made a mental note to spend more time with my sister and her children. Which, if I went forward with my plan to quit the FWP, I’d have plenty of opportunities to do.
It had been a while since I’d driven a car, but I managed to make it to Hell’s Half Acre without a problem. I pulled up in front of the familiar yellow house, my stomach in knots. Frankie wasn’t expecting me this morning, but I wanted tocome while Alden was at work and Jael in class. The speech I’d rehearsed on the way over was for Frankie’s ears only.
The curtains in her window moved, and I saw her gaze intently at the strange automobile. I didn’t want to frighten her, so I hurried to exit the car and wave. She returned the greeting, and a moment later the front door opened.
“Well, lookee who’s here in a fancy new car.”
I closed the door of the weather-beaten vehicle and forced a smile to my lips. “It belongs to my sister.”
