For Keeps (Aggie's Inheritance) by Havig Chautona

Author:Havig, Chautona [Havig, Chautona]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2011-02-08T05:00:00+00:00

Saturday, September 13th

Gentle dreams drifted from her, pushed away by the morning breeze through the window. Summer was definitely waning. Aggie stretched, as the last vestiges of sleep evaporated, and her first coherent thought of the morning forced her to a sitting position. “How did I get in bed?” She glanced down at the blouse and skirt. “I know I did not climb into bed in these clothes of--” A memory intruded. “Seriously, Lord? She thought it was a good idea to make that man carry me to bed? Seriously?”

Aggie flopped back on the pillows, wondering how much weaker she’d fallen in William’s eyes. He could make their new educational adventure a nightmare if he chose. She stretched. “Hey, the soreness is gone!” She was hungry, and if the itching were any indication, she had more pox, but the queasiness and achy feeling seemed to have dissipated in the night. “Well, Lord, thanks for that!”

Her words gave her a snicker as she began singing, “Thank you, Lord for saving my soul. Thank you, Lord for making me kindasortawhole. Thank you, Lord for giving to me…”

The silence of her house unnerved her, so Aggie rolled to check the clock and found a plush chicken holding a box of pansies and sitting on her trunk-turned-nightstand. “What--” A small “card” tucked beneath the chicken’s wing diverted her questioning. She unfolded it and read the note inside. Praying that you feel better today. May she inspire many smiles just as you inspire so many of mine. Luke.

Before she could process the information, Libby entered carrying a glass of juice, a muffin, and a bottle of ibuprofen. “Morning, Aggie. Kenzie has been perched on the top step for the past half hour waiting to hear you moving around. She just came tearing down the steps seconds ago.”

“I didn’t hear her.”

“She’s wearing her skid-free socks ‘to keep quiet for Aunt Aggie.’”

“Did you see what Luke brought me? Isn’t she cute?”

“I did. That’s why Kenzie has been waiting so patiently. I think she’s hoping for some personal bonding time with the clucker.” Libby winked as she handed Aggie the juice. “Drink up. We have to keep you hydrated.”

As she sipped her drink, Aggie leaned back against the headboard and rubbed her shoulder blade against it, scratching a pock. “How did he know I love pansies?”

Libby, with a thoughtful look on her face that made Aggie feel like she’d missed something, stood before her--silent. At last, after several long seconds, the smiling woman recited,

“Pansies are for thoughts.

So let it be:

Mine are for you.

Let yours be of me.”

“I’ve never heard that before. How does it go again?”

Libby recited the little poem once more, and her voice held a reminiscent aura as she added, “I wonder if Luke remembers that little verse. I used to recite it each year as we planted them along the walk. Those are special memories for me.”

“It sounds like your children had a delightful childhood. I never planted flowers with my mom.”

Sympathy filled Libby’s face.

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