An Unexpected Family by Joan Medlicott

Author:Joan Medlicott
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: 2007-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Later that evening, back home, Grace and Hannah passed one another in the upstairs hall. Hannah asked, “So what do you think? I noticed that Amelia spoke directly to Miriam several times tonight.”

“I think she’s moving past anger to see the opportunity that lies ahead with those two.”

“From your lips to God’s ears,” Hannah said.

Eleven

FALLING IN LOVE WITH SADIE

May first. Blossoms, as white and thick as snow, mantled the dogwood trees that shaded the rose, peach, and red azalea shrubs in yards along Cove Road. Robins nested in a hanging basket on the ladies’ porch, and hummingbirds visited the feeder that Hannah hung on a tree in the yard.

Amelia stood on the top porch step, her hands circling the handle of the broom, and gazed at the sky. It was amazingly blue, marred only by occasional cirrus clouds moving rapidly across the sky. The searing pain in her chest was gone, as was her anger. The nights spent crying and being utterly miserable over Thomas’s betrayal were finally over. Sadie’s resemblance to Caroline no longer sent her heart tumbling or brought tears to her eyes. The child warmed her heart, and today Amelia was especially happy. This afternoon at three o’clock she would pick up Sadie, and they would drive to Burnsville to the river.

Inside the house, tucked in its box on the foyer table, sat a shiny new Polaroid camera. Not the drugstore point-and-shoot camera she had anticipated buying, but instant photography! If Sadie could see the result of her shot directly after taking the picture, photography might intrigue her.

Amelia leaned the broom against the wall and headed into the house. At the front door, she paused. What if Sadie found photography boring, as Tyler had when she had tried to teach him? Stop, Amelia. You’re investing too much in this child. First you wanted nothing to do with them, and now it’s all about Sadie and her liking what you like. You’re ridiculous, a foolish woman desperate for love.

“No,” she said aloud. “I am not desperate for love. There are many people who love me.” But the unconscious thought stupefied her, and she stood before the door. Mike, Hannah, and Grace loved her, but they were friends—not family really. Was that enough? Amelia tossed her head in a “what do I care anyway” manner, turned the knob and stepped inside. The phone was ringing.

Mike said, “Amelia. Can you come over to the studio? I’d like you to look at my new photographs, I’ve just printed them.”

“You have new photos?”

“Yes.”

“Of what?”

“Come on over and see.”

“Sure,” Amelia said. “Give me a half hour, okay?”

“That’s fine. Thanks a lot. I appreciate it.”

He didn’t have to thank her. How many times had Mike done kind things, gone out of his way for her? More than she could remember. Amelia hastened upstairs, slipped into slacks and a cotton blouse, and put on a mauve scarf to conceal the scars on her neck caused by the car accident and fire that had killed Thomas. What was wrong with her hair? It just wouldn’t stay brushed back.

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