Lean on Me by Pat Simmons

Author:Pat Simmons
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2019-11-01T15:43:42+00:00

Chapter 20

The next morning, Tabitha’s limbs refused to move. She was tired after the long weekend with her sisters.

Rolling out of bed, she dragged her body across the hall. After hearing a light snore, Tabitha returned to her room and rushed through a shower. Next, she gave Aunt Tweet the sponge bath that was overdue from the previous night. She dressed Aunt Tweet, then admired her handiwork. Her aunt looked polished—minus the big, floppy red hat. Remembering Sweet Pepper, she hurried back downstairs to let him out.

How did working mothers do this day in and out? she wondered while preparing a quick breakfast. Single moms especially deserved an award. She had one elderly great-aunt, yet Tabitha woke up feeling exhausted, as though she mothered a house full of children and tried to remember to do mundane tasks. Half an hour later, the dog was in his kennel, her aunt was color coordinated, and Tabitha opened the door.

Marcus’s presence startled her, then gave her a jolt of energy. He was leaning against his car with his ankles crossed, holding a flower. Her morning had just gotten better. He pushed off the hood and took long strides toward her.

“Morning.” She stared at his five o’clock shadow, which had thickened overnight. She yearned to feel its texture but denied herself the temptation. “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to see you before we both went in opposite directions today.” He handed her the rose, kissed her cheek first, then her aunt’s. Without another word, he strolled back to his car with a stride that made her lift an eyebrow.

That gesture kept a smile on Tabitha’s face as she drove Aunt Tweet to Bermuda Place, then headed to Ceyle-Norman to sign out more physician samples. Breezing through the lobby, she waved at Ava Elise. The woman always inspired her to smile. Tabitha missed seeing her every day to soak in her encouraging tidbits about life.

“Hey. How was your weekend?” Ava Elise’s smile was warm. “Did you get some much-needed rest?”

Tabitha released a mock laugh. “Anything but that. Saturday was the neighborhood’s summer kickoff. We attended church on Sunday, and then enjoyed a barbecue at my neighbor’s company on Monday. I wish it were Friday already instead of Tuesday.”

Ava Elise chuckled. “How did your aunt interact with your sisters?”

“Good. They got a chance to see firsthand some of the things I’d mentioned about her behavior. She even wandered off at the summer kickoff.”

“Oh no.” Her friend covered her mouth in shock, then removed her hand. “Well, don’t scratch off a nursing facility from your list yet. With them gone, there goes your extra helping hand.”

Although Tabitha liked Ava Elise, the mention of a nursing home for Aunt Tweet was almost offensive. “I’m determined to hang in there. I don’t know how much longer my aunt might live anyway.”

“What do you mean?” Ava Elise gasped. “Is her health declining that rapidly? What’s really going on?”

Shaking her head, Tabitha wished she knew. “At church on Sunday, my aunt mentioned no regrets and then joined others at the altar for prayer and to be baptized.

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