The Four Seasons by Mary Alice Monroe

Author:Mary Alice Monroe
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: MIRA
Published: 2001-03-03T16:00:00+00:00

13

AGNES MUIRFIELD.

Jilly sat up in bed, eyes wide from her nap. She’d remembered the name of the social worker. Maybe the fresh air had loosened her memory, or the rest, but whichever, she had the name.

She climbed from the bed to splash cold water on her face, tie back her unruly hair and, for good measure, brush her teeth. She felt more like her old self after her nap. Being back in Marian House had made her feel like an outcast once again. But her memories succeeded in making her angry. Rose was right. She’d made the best decisions she could have at the time, without the help of her parents, the nuns or social workers like Agnes Muirfield. She’d paid her dues with guilt and suffering. Now she wanted some answers.

She picked up the telephone and punched the number for Catholic Social Services in Green Bay.

“Hello? I’d like to speak to Agnes Muirfield, please.” She liked the strong tone of her voice.

“I’m sorry, but she retired years ago.”

“Oh.” Damn. She was afraid of that. “Could you connect me with the social worker assigned to her cases?”

The secretary connected her to a woman named Donna Strobel who had an authoritative voice, rather like Birdie’s. For a moment, Jilly froze, wondering if she should be truthful and just ask for the adoption records, or come up with a story. Mustering her resolve, she stuck with the truth.

When she told Mrs. Strobel why she’d called, to her surprise the social worker’s tone grew more friendly. She told Jilly that she would search for the file and call her back, probably in half an hour.

Jilly set the receiver down and stared at it for a moment. She’d get the file! Jilly couldn’t believe it; it had been too easy. What luck! Thirty minutes seemed like hours. She hunted for a cigarette but remembered she was fresh out, so she grabbed her purse and hurried down the narrow strip sidewalk toward the motel office. The sun was setting and the northern chill cut straight through her silk sweater and black slacks. Wrapping her arms around herself, she hustled with her head tucked to her chest.

She entered the motel office cautiously, glancing at the dated brochures and decor. Surprisingly, a small wooden table in the corner had been draped with white linen. On it sat a pot of fragrant tea on a hot plate, white china cups and saucers, and silver spoons. A few cookies were spread out on a plate. The scent of the heady tea filled the room and she looked at it longingly. From behind she heard a door open, then a man’s footsteps.

“Jilly, may I pour you a cup? It’s all there for my guests.”

From the corner of her eye she saw Rajiv step from around the counter, moving into her line of vision. He had changed back into dark slacks and a white shirt and his hair was still damp from his shower. He stood waiting at the table with his seemingly infinite patience.

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