Muse

‘Still alive!’ she called with a cackle.

‘Good to hear.’ Dani went to her mom, kissed her powdered cheek. ‘Hi, Mom. Your bags?’

‘All up on the porch just waiting for the cavalry to arrive to help me.’

‘Here I am.’ Dani began to load them two at a time. The front steps were steep brick and she’d warned her mother not to attempt bringing the bags down on her own.

When they were all loaded, Dani turned to her mom, who was still rattling on across the fence.

‘Mom?’

When her mom finally took a breath and looked her way, Dani tapped an imaginary watch on her wrist. ‘Tick tick tick … you didn’t want to be late.’

‘I’m being taken now,’ Helen said to Mrs Fletcher. ‘You call me if that sciatica acts up and you need someone to fetch you stuff.’

Mrs Fletcher agreed, waved the paper again and disappeared inside her small house. A house heavily decorated with cat figurines, prints of Jesus at the Last Supper, and doilies. Lots and lots of doilies. Dani had spent summers cleaning the older woman’s house when she was in high school. She’d never had to move so many doilies in her life.

In the car, her mother immediately shut off the radio station with a shudder. ‘Nothing but noise.’

Dani laughed. ‘That’s eighties music, mom. It’s now what they play over the grocery store sound system and it’s been turned into elevator music.’

‘And it’s still noise,’ Helen said, clutching her purse in her lap. ‘You have your bags?’

‘Yes.’

‘You ready to find some new clothes?’

Dani sighed. ‘I guess. I doubt they’ll have anything that really works for me.’

Her mother appraised her with a cocked eyebrow. ‘Oh, come on. You’re not exactly fashion forward, Dani. I’d call you … kitschy and comfy.’

‘I’ll attempt to take that as a compliment.’

Her mom shrugged. ‘Nothing wrong with it. Anyway, it’s for a good cause. Ten bucks and two bags or more gets us our tokens and then they’ll have a silent auction later for pricier items that were donated outright. Some schmoozing—’

‘Schmoozing?’ Dani asked, laughing.

Helen nodded decisively. ‘Yes, some schmoozing, some food, some drinks, and you come home with some new clothes. Win-win-win.’

‘Well, I’m glad you’re excited,’ Dani said. ‘I’m sure it will be fun.’

There was a palpable beat of silence. Dani felt her mother working her way up to saying something. Probably something Dani didn’t want to hear. The pregnant moment passed and Helen tried to be casual as she blew out a breath and said, ‘So … dating anyone?’

Dani managed not to roll her eyes. ‘Nope. Not at the moment.’

Her mother’s lips settled into a thin, dissatisfied line. ‘Dani, you’re not getting any younger.’

Dani shook her head, turned the car onto Harford Road and tried not to get angry. ‘No, but I’m not getting any dumber either. I’m not going to date someone just because I’m not twenty.’

Her mother gave her a nod. ‘Well, that’s true.’

Dani laughed again. ‘Glad you see it my way, Mom. And by the way, thirty-two isn’t exactly ancient.’

Her mother patted her leg. ‘Not at all. But life has a way of creeping up on you. In a blink you’re not thirty-two any more. You’re sixty-two.’

‘I’m sure,’ Dani said, feeling a sudden sadness. Life did go fast but she couldn’t date someone just to date them. And since the divorce had been finalised she hadn’t met anyone she felt the need to spend her time with. It was what it was and she felt it best to accept that. She’d had a few scattershot dates that had been pleasant but nothing special, and then a few that had been the stuff bad-dating comedies were made of. She’d rather be alone.

‘Plus, men die sooner than women, statistically speaking.’

‘Mom!’

‘Well, it’s true. So, you’ll have limited time even once you find the right man.’

‘Mom …’ she sighed. She could feel it coming. The next thing her mom would say.

‘I had thirty wonderful years with your dad and then we lost him. I’ve been alone since. Eleven years later, I’m still alone.’

Dani shook her head, took her mom’s hand briefly and squeezed it. ‘I know, Mom. But let’s change the subject. Because we’re here!’

She turned into the VFW hall’s parking lot and found a spot. Then she cut the engine and turned toward her mother. ‘It’s going to be fine, Mom. I’ll meet someone when I meet someone. It’ll work out.’

Helen gave a decisive nod and patted her hair. ‘You’re right. Of course. I’m sorry. I worry, is all.’

‘It’s your job.’

They paid their donation entrance fee and then an older gentleman went with them to the car and helped them gather and check in their donation bags. Dani watched carefully and noticed her mother was flirting. She couldn’t help but laugh. Helen had tried to give Dani a pep talk and Dani was starting to think it had backfired on her.

They were given a table to set up their clothing. Dani was just displaying the lingerie on the table when a sharp voice cried, ‘Helen Young! And Dani!’

Chapter 2 (#u35f8981b-9a28-530a-b419-2c3ac3048b25)

She turned to see Clara Oliver come rushing up and fold her mother in a big embrace. The woman stood about eight inches taller than her mom and was decked out in a bright floral draped blouse, hot-pink slacks and tall heels. She was the exact opposite of Dani’s mom. Colourful and imposing as a peacock.

Dani blinked. It had been ages since she’d seen Clara and her son. And, speaking of her son, Chris came striding up behind his mother, looking sheepish. He had his hands shoved way down in the pockets of his khakis, and the slouch he’d adopted when they were teenagers when he wanted to be invisible. He looked about as comfortable as a zebra at a gathering of lions.

‘Ages! It’s been ages!’ Clara exclaimed, gripping her mother so tight she looked like a python taking down a lamb.

Dani pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. Mostly because her mom wasn’t the most affectionate person and especially not in public. A little giggle slipped free when Helen literally pushed her hands against the larger woman’s arms and levered herself free. She smoothed her hair, looking flustered and more than a little stunned.

‘And Dani!’ Then Clara was coming at her, arms wide so her flowy blouse looked like butterfly wings. A cloud of sweet perfume seemed to linger around her and her lipstick was the bright red of a STOP sign.

Dani took a deep breath and resigned herself to the affection just as she was engulfed in a warm, soft embrace. She hugged the older woman back. ‘Good to see you, Mrs Oliver. It’s been a long time.’

And it had. About fifteen years. The Youngs had lived a few doors down. She’d been in high school with Christopher, him being a year or two ahead of her. They’d hung out as kids, wandering the neighbourhood in the summer, being bored together.

When she was finally released, she stepped back and saw he was watching her. She smiled. ‘Chris.’

‘Dani,’ he said with a small nod. Finally, as if not quite sure he wanted to, he moved in and gave her a quick hug. He smelled good, she noticed. Wood smoke, cotton, fall air. It was a nice scent that made her remember what it was like to be hugged by a man on a regular basis.