Rapping at the door, Annie rushes to answer it after tucking
the kids into bed for the night. She
quietly answers the door to find her good friends bearing gifts. Annie giggles as she reads Jennings bright
fuchsia striped t-shirt “Things that improve with age: Wine, Art, Coins …. And of course –ME!” and couldn’t agree more with that
statement. Fidgeting next to her is
Alice Hammer broadly smiling wearing a colorful sombrero with a matching woven
poncho that hangs nearly to her knees.
“I told her it was the wrong country, but she insisted on
wearing it anyway” informs Jennings rather flatly “She wanted to ‘blend in’ so
you wouldn’t feel so out of place until you have a chance to adjust now that
you have returned home.”
“I think the sapphire blue matches my eyes quite well, what
do you think Annie?” enthusiastically ask Alice Hammer for her opinion gently placing
one hand on her cheek and slightly tilting her head as if posing for a
professional photograph from the 50s glancing into the hall mirror “I think that I need to wear this more often!”
Watching her friend, Jennings giggles and sarcastically asks
“What movie are you going to star in this week? They’re really into remakes
lately you might talk them into giving you a part.”
“OH! Wouldn’t that be
exciting! I always wanted to be
Katherine Hepburn” without any effort Alice Hammer changes her voice to mimic
her movie idol and huskily states “I never lose sight of the fact that just
being is fun!”
“Yeah, you do that quite well” agrees Jennings patting her
friend on the back “Every day is a new adventure with you, Alice. I don’t know
what I would do if we had never met.”
“Would you like to come in?
The boys are asleep but we can sit in the living room. Would you like some tea or coffee?” politely
asks Annie remembering that there some brownies leftover from when they were
made earlier in the day for the boys.
“Sure, but I need decaffeinated and I like instant too if
they have it” explains Jennings “The instant has a more tart bitter flavor, a
bit like candy to me. I like sour patches, lemon drops, and even the jalapeno
bites are quite good.”
With each example, Alice Hammer sits next to her pursing her
lips and gradually making more horrific faces as if she is tasting each one at
that moment and bulges her eyes out “No, thank you. I’m more into the sugar and spice things,
give me a brownie or cookie any day and I’m fine” raising her eyebrows and
giving her rather full tummy a tap here and there.
Taking a bit of brownie and a sip of rather polluted coffee
Jennings exclaims “These are delicious!
I could eat a whole plate by myself!”
“I brought you the scrap book I’ve been working on for you”
explains Alice Hammer taking it out of the oversized bag with a logo from a popular
anchor store at the mall “Do you like it?”
The large album is covered in glitter with a feather frame
surrounding a photo of just her and Rick which was taken the day they left for
Peru at the airport. Others were in the
photo, but Alice Hammer clipped them out.
“I see this as a ‘Hope Album’ like some people have ‘Hope
Chests’ for things they collect before they get married” dreamily explains
Alice Hammer “My hope is that you and Rick will end up together!”
“Well, thank you for the thought” acknowledges Annie softly
placing her hand brushing the photo of Rick before adding “I think he has found
someone else. Life moves on.”
“How could he?” asks Jennings while contemplating her next
move to change this situation around “You’re a wonderful person and suit him
quite well. You always seem very happy
together. Who is it?”
“Lauren Hargrove, Mary’s sister-in-law” sighs Annie
determined not to let her feelings overwhelm her in front of her friends as she
can feel her eyes well up with tears never having been able to keep any secrets
from them.
“Oh, no” exasperated Alice Hammer hits her forehead with the
palm of her hand “I didn’t see that one coming. She’s a nice girl with a good
head on her shoulders, but unfortunately a bit of a flirt. Rick would be a great catch, no wonder she
went right for him.”
Shaking her head trying to compare Rick with Annie and then
Lauren in her thoughts, Jennings bluntly counters, “How is that one going to
work out? Lauren is about as deep as a
puddle. Rick likes to swim around in the ocean. I can’t imagine what they have
in common to talk about.”
“I don’t know. I think he likes the attention and she is
always available to offer some” considers Annie not entirely sure what they
have in common either but trying to come to terms with it “She isn’t such a bad
choice. She’s a good person. They’ll
have to grow into finding mutual ground with each other.”
“Whatever …” snaps Alice Hammer pursing her lips while
wiping her mouth with her napkin before sincerely speaking “You can’t teach a
fish to be a bird. My honey and I made an excellent match, but I had to wait
for him. It’s a lifelong commitment keeping the right one and making each other
happy, might as well get a head start with the pieces at least matching the
same puzzle.”
“I got a postcard yesterday from Rick” offers Annie taking
it out of her purse “He sends one about three or four times a week. “
“Ummm… that’s definitely encouraging “ surmises Alice Hammer
“How many has he sent to you in the last three weeks?”
“Eleven, but they don’t say much except to explain what he
has been doing” offers Annie wondering how he can only see her as a friend when
she cares so much about him. “For
example this one starts: Dear Annie – I thought this postcard might look good
in your scrap book. Lauren seems to be
improving. She’s starting to read some
books of poetry that Ben Wick let her borrow while she recovers. Things are
going well. I’m having a good time
enjoying the area and seeing places we didn’t have time to see with the team
while you were still here. Hope things are going well for you – Rick”.
“He doesn’t say much” agrees Jennings wondering if his care
is more evident in volume rather than substance “It’s good he keeps you updated
with what is happening”.
“If he’s sharing books of poetry with Lauren at least she is
trying to learn more and develop herself” offers Annie wanting to accept the
situation rather than prolong her feelings of loss “She probably fits him much
better than what we are giving her credit for.
They’ll make a good couple.”
In response to Annie’s resolution, Jennings and Alice Hammer
exchange knowing glances. They recall
Lauren like a chameleon transforming her look and attitude to adjust to whoever
her current love interest was at that time.
“It’s better for a woman to discover who she is first, and
then give themselves space to let someone
fall in love with who they really are” Jennings reflects on many years counseling
couples “It seems the best marriages are made this way. That way there is no
pretense, false expectations, or delusional dreams. What you see is what you get. As a bonus for
honesty, love has a habit of finding its way and deepening in clarity.”
While chatting, Annie flips through the scrap book which
Alice Hammer has taken all the odds and ends of the trip such as ticket stubs,
flight schedules, programs, candy wrappers, beads, brochures and making it into
something she will treasure for a lifetime. Her heart aches as each token
reminds her of a shared moment with Rick that is now just a sweet memory.
“So what are your plans when your sister and brother-in-law
get back?” asks Jennings as she fills a second scoop of instant coffee into her
cup of steaming hot water smacking her lips after taking a sip.
“As you know my family moved into a condo that my cousins
own on the outskirts of New York City. I
thought that I might go and spend some time with them for awhile” explains
Annie not wanting a front row to watch the courtship of Lauren and Rick once
they return “It’s another territory so I might make some new friends while I am
there.”
“How long will you be gone?” asks Alice Hammer not wanting
her young friend to go too far away.
“Only a couple of months, I’ve been offered a job so I’ll
have some income while I’m there. I
don’t think I’ll be charged rent since I’m staying with my own family, but who
knows ….” As Annie’s voice trails off knowing that it is likely her father will
ask for something since he never can live within his means due to his selfish
and rather arrogant “necessities” at the cost to the needs of his own family.
“They’re returning on Friday, so I’m planning on leaving on
Monday to help them get over jet lag before I leave” explains Annie realizing
that she has to let go of Rick and find her own happiness without him “I’m
looking forward to the trip and a change.
I think it will be good for me. I need to let go of some things here and
move on with my life. Leaving for awhile
will help me do that.”
“Well, don’t stay away too long!” giving Annie a warm hug of
encouragement Jennings continues “You always have a home with me when you want
to come back. I’ve got plenty of room in my house. As you know Alice just lives
down the street in her senior complex, so she’s wouldn’t be too far away
either.”
“Thank you, I may take you up on that offer” gratefully
replies Annie helping Alice Hammer with her poncho, “ I’ll definitely give you
a call and let you know how things are going as well as when it will be likely
that I’ll return. “
“I love you Annie. We’ll take care of you. Don’t worry. ” Kindly waves Alice Hammer doing a rather
original rumba dance while shaking imaginary maracas along the sidewalk to
silent music in her head “Chao! Adios Bendiga! Hasta Luego! Auf Weidersehen!”
While closing the door, Annie can hear Jennings mutter to
Alice Hammer “Wrong country again.”
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