Loving Her: A Novel by Shockley Ann Allen

Author:Shockley, Ann Allen [Shockley, Ann Allen]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9781480468047
Publisher: Open Road Media
Published: 2014-02-10T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

“HELLO, MOMMY!” DENISE THREW her arms around Renay, hugging her tightly. “I got very good in spelling today!”

“Good for you! Your mommy’s real proud of you.”

Fran smiled, watching them. “Did you get all moved?”

“Finally. How did you two make out?” Renay asked, kissing the top of Denise’s head. She seemed to have grown taller during the two days and nights.

“Fine. We’re old boarding pals by now. Here, sit down, if you can find a place.” Fran began clearing papers off the couch and stacking them on the desk. “These are all test papers I have to grade. Thank goodness the year is almost over. The kids are about to drive me wild. Nobody can tell me that schoolteachers don’t earn their money. Want a cup of coffee? I just made a fresh pot. I thought it would help me to stay awake and finish these papers.”

“All right.”

In the kitchen, Fran poured two cups of steaming black coffee and set them on the table. “Here’s something for you, little one,” she called to Denise in the living room. “A cup of cocoa.”

“Thanks, Aunt Fran,” Denise said, coming in to get the cup handed to her.

“Careful now and don’t spill it on you,” Fran cautioned.

“I won’t. I’m going back to watch Lassie.”

Renay put two teaspoonfuls of sugar in her cup and a tiny bit of the powdered cream Fran passed to her. The coffee was hot and strong. Fran’s coffee was always hot and strong.

“Are you finally settled?” Fran asked, lighting a cigarette.

“Almost. When do you plan to leave for home?”

“As soon as school’s out, and you can believe it! I’m saving up enough money now to get the old buggy tuned up for the trip.” She sat down, drawing heavily on the cigarette. “It’ll be good to get back to the country air again. No pollution, traffic jams, city noises. I can hardly wait.”

Renay stirred her coffee for a long thoughtful moment. “Fran, could Denise ride home with you? I’d like for her to spend the summer with mother. She hasn’t seen her since she was a baby.”

“Why, sure! You know it’ll be all right. She can help keep me awake on the road. Have you written to your mother?”

It had been a long time since she had written. So much to say, and so much that shouldn’t be said. “Not yet. I thought I’d ask you first.”

“Why don’t you come along too?”

“I’m going to summer school at Waterview.”

“Renay! How wonderful!” Fran’s large eyes expressed approval. “I’m so glad. You with all that musical talent. It’s a shame to let it go to waste. Wish I could play the piano or do something exciting like that. Teaching’s for the birds. But hell, it’s a living.”

Denise came back into the kitchen, placing her empty cup in the sink. “Mommy, you ready? I want to see where we’re living now.”

“In a minute—” Hurriedly she finished her coffee, feeling it warm her.

“Is Aunt Terry there too?”

“Yes—she is.”

“Who is Aunt Terry?” Fran’s eyebrows raised above the whitish smoke whorls screening her mouth.

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