The Last Bachelor by Judy Christenberry

Author:Judy Christenberry
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2010-12-03T05:00:00+00:00

Joe suggested Ginger go lie down and rest. Her face was still paler than normal.

His mother took Ginger’s arm and led her to the stairs. “I’ve put you in Joe’s old bedroom. But it’s not a museum. I’ve updated it and it’s become our best guest room.”

“I’m sure it will be fine, Mrs. Turner. It’s so nice of you to offer to help.”

Vivian stared at her. “Nice? It’s what families do. And call me Vivian, child. That’s what all my daughters-in-law call me. That way I don’t feel so old,” she added with a teasing grin. Before Ginger could respond, Vivian added, “And now is when you tell me I’m not old. I love that part.”

Ginger smiled, relaxing for the first time since the incident at the club. “Of course you’re not old.”

“Nicely done, child. Now, put your feet up and rest. I’m making a special dinner. We’re celebrating tonight.”

“What are we celebrating?” Ginger asked, confused.

“That we’re all safe and together. That’s a lot to be grateful for.” Vivian leaned over and kissed Ginger’s cheek before opening the nearest door. Then she turned and went back down the stairs.

Ginger stared after her. Vivian had an elevated vision of family. Her mother was one of the reasons Ginger was having difficulties now. It hurt to admit it, but her mother had caused the two men to attack her. She’d called back and found out the town she lived in. All because Ginger had been concerned about the beatings her mother said she had received. Now Ginger wondered if her mother had lied about the beatings, too.

Whatever her mother had done in the past, Ginger had never believed her mother would betray her in such a way.

But she had.

Vivian Turner was a different kind of mother. The kind of mother little girls dreamed about. Not the kind Ginger had experienced. Her mother had frequently worked as a prostitute, always to keep a roof over their heads, her mother had told her. And Ginger had believed her. Now she wasn’t so sure. It had taken a lot of money to buy an American husband.

Ginger had worked from the time she was eleven, mopping the floors in a grocery store in the evening until midnight. Her mother had begun charging groceries there, the cost of which the owner deducted from Ginger’s salary. Though her mother had wanted her to quit school and work full-time, Ginger had refused. The only reason she was able to stay in school was that her mother slept until noon.

When her mother had made the decision to come to America, Ginger held her breath wondering if she would accompany her mother. When her mother had agreed that Ginger should come, Ginger had dreamed of a different life.

Her life had been different, but not what she’d expected.

Her mother had discovered education was required until her daughter turned seventeen. Ginger had loved the school and the classes. Knowing she might not get to stay her senior year, she’d worked hard to get as much out of school as she could.

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