Page 29 of The Curve
“I showed her my library when she was here. And yesterday I got a package from her.”
The surprise must show on my face because she chuckles and touches my arm. “Atticus, she’s a darling girl. Look at the note she sent.”
With a lift of her chin she directs me to the card with a capital C sitting on the center shelf.
Dear Lucinda,
It’s a good day when I meet someone who loves books as much as I do. Not everyone finds it thrilling to spend hours in the solitude of reading. But as for you and me, we know the wonder of being carried to unfamiliar worlds, with unforgettable characters who become part of us. “Peace Like A River” is my favorite book. I hope you enjoy it.
Sincerely,
Charlotte, AKA “The Lush”
“Wasn’t that nice?”she says.
I don’t know why this makes me feel so great, but it does.
“Yeah. She’s pretty special.”
A tilt of my mother’s head along with her knowing smile says more than words. I give her adon’t even say itlook.
“I’m not saying anything!” she protests.
I nod my agreement.
“Except to say I can tell you like her. More than I’ve seen before. And you’re different around this woman. That’s all.”
“You literally just said two seconds ago you weren’t saying anything.” I chuckle.
Her hand lifts to her lips and she locks her mouth with an imaginary key.
“Let’s go look at the setup for tomorrow. I want to reserve a space,” I say.
Eyebrows lift and then one hand. “I just want to tell you one more thing. Then I’ll stop.”
“God, Mom. Alright, go ahead.”
“You could have the men set one up inside the grove, away from the rest of us. That’s where you’d see the most fireflies, and it would be private. Oh, and as usual we’re putting the rope barriers and the do not enter signs in case someone thinks of going in the forest. But I’m sure you could figure a way around it.”
She wears a sheepish expression, not sure she hasn’t overstepped her boundaries. In reality she’s been a help. I take her in my embrace. “You’re a sweet little busybody.”
Resting her head on my chest she whispers, “You’re still my baby you know. Always.”
* * *
Everything’s takenon a glow and thoughts once considered corny suddenly seem accurate. Her lips do look like a rosebud, her skin does feel like velvet and love songs suddenly have more meaning. The impact is like a rogue wave washing over me.
I’ve seen this setup. Every year in fact. But tonight, there’s just one word to describe the scene. Romantic. I never noticed it before. It was fun and sexy, that was always my impression. Tonight’s more. The Memphis summer air, the white tablecloths, flowers and candles on the round tables, the crowded tile dance floor, the thousand twinkling lights strung across the backyard and the mini lights hanging from the tree branches to make them look like Weeping Willows.
How’d I ever miss romance in the firefly viewing chaises or the draped, private structures waiting along the edges of the Swift “forest”?
With Charlotte in my arms, dancing to Toby Keith’s “You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This”, things have been reset. Looking like a dream in a red sexy top and black satin shorts, and with those awesome black high heels, it’s hard to look away from the woman.
“You look beautiful tonight,” I say.
She gazes up and smiles. “Thank you. I haven’t worn this kind of an outfit in well…never I guess.”
She laughs a little when she says it, but it feels like the truth.
