Page 20 of Memories of the Past

“Oh, well, I was just making my rounds. Some of the ladies thought it would be nice to take Thomas some food. We got talking after the funeral. You know, to help take the burden off and such.”

“That’s nice.”

Peggy frowned. “So, I just thought I would come by and see what you’d like to contribute.”

I let out a loud sigh and went back to dusting the tops of the books. “I have no idea.”

Peggy was silent, and I could feel her staring at me from behind. “What’s wrong?” she questioned, placing the wet umbrella down just inside the door.

I let out a sigh. I was normally the one who put together these types of things for the members of the community. I was the one running place to place with the clipboard, only this time it hadn’t even occurred to me to do anything because I was still dealing with my own issues regarding Thomas and trying to swallow the anger, I felt toward him.

“What do you mean what is wrong? Nothing is wrong!” I exclaimed, placing the duster on the counter and looking at Peggy. “I’m just not impressed with how I’ve let this place go,” I muttered.

“Trinity, you can’t fool me. I’ve known you far too long.” Peggy took her light jacket off and placed it on the coat rack, then pulled up one of her favorite stools and sat down, laying the clipboard she’d been carrying on the counter. “You haven’t let this place go. So, just spill it.”

I walked over and stared down at the list of names on the clipboard and reached for it, pulling it closer to me. Peggy was bringing a chocolate cake, Brooke was bringing mushroom quiche, Melinda was bringing chicken soup, and the list went on. Practically half the town had committed to bringing some sort of dish, and I knew it would look bad if I didn’t sign up to bring something.

“Put my name down. I have no idea what I’ll bring though.”

Peggy picked up the pencil I kept near the register and scribbled my name down on the list. “Now tell me what has gotten to you, my dear.”

I poured us both a hot coffee from the pot I’d just brewed a little while ago and sat down. “Were you still at the funeral home last night when Jed Hawkins fell?”

“Oh, I heard about it, but no, I was already gone. I hope he is okay.”

I let out a sigh. “He’s the reason that Thomas left Willow Valley.”

“You mean, he was the one who told him to join the rodeo?”

I nodded, got up and walked around behind the counter. I pulled Aunt Vi’s journal from the shelf I’d placed it on and pulled it closer to me. I was still searching for the second half of it. I knew there had to be more, but I still hadn’t been able to find it. I also hadn’t been able to find any more letters, despite having gone through every box in the back that was marked with her name.

“I guess you could say that this is what has gotten my back up,” I said, opening the book and flipping through the pages.

“What is that?” Peggy said, leaning over to try and take a closer look.

“This was the book that Thomas borrowed the other day when he came here for the first time. He brought it back practically the next afternoon, thought I should have it. Actually, he thought I should read it. It’s Aunt Vi’s journal.”

“Oh, I wonder if she is missing it. You should take it to her,” Peggy said, dumping a packet of sugar into her coffee and stirring it. “Wait, what did you say?”

I stared down at the journal. I hadn’t read it all, but what I had read I regretted. It was her personal thoughts, after all, and it felt like a total invasion of her privacy. “Thomas thought I should read it, so I read it,” I whispered. “Well, not all of it, just some of it.”

Peggy stopped stirring her coffee and met my eyes. “You what?”

“That’s what has me in such a state. I read her journal, and by the looks of things, Jed Hawkins was the man that she was in love with. He is also the reason why she never married. At least that is what I understood.”

“The same Jed Hawkins from the funeral home.”

I nodded. “I think so. I mean, I won’t know for sure until I ask Aunt Vi, but it certainly appears to be that way,” I said flipping through the pages of her journal for what had to be the fiftieth time. “I’ve never heard of another Jed Hawkins in this area.”

“Wow, Trinity, I don’t know what to say. Didn’t Vi ever tell you anything about her past?”

“No, she has always been very tight-lipped about it. We never really talked about it, to be honest. From what I can see, he broke Aunt Vi’s heart. I don’t know if I even want to bring it up to her. I have no idea how she will react. Judging from the last few pages of this diary, it looks like it took her a long while to get over him. At least, that is what I’m guessing.”

“It’s been a long time, Trinity. I am sure the hurt wore off by now.”

“Yeah, I sure hope so,” I muttered, running my fingers over the leather cover. “Anyways, what to bring?” I said, drumming my fingers on the counter and looking off into the distance.

“You know what you need?”

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