Chapter Twenty-nine
When Mia went to collect Angie from the hospital, she was astounded at the change in her aunt. The older woman had always been a favorite of hers. Something about her energy and youthful attitude had resonated with both her and Jasmine, and they’d loved spending time at her fancy house in Maricopa.
But today, Angie glowed with an inner pride that made her seem even more charismatic. If Mia had been asked, she’d have sworn that wasn’t possible. Except, her aunt walked taller, gave off a sort of confidence previously not noticed, and her smile could light up the sky.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Mia stopped at her favorite restaurant so they could have a heart-to-heart before taking her all the way home.
Ensconced in a booth by the window, she plied Angie with questions.
“Okay, spill the beans. You’re looking like the cat who ran off the rest and now has the bowl of cream for herself.
” She laughed at her aunt’s satisfied expression and waited to be confided in.
“I love Jack.” Angie’s odd comment out of the blue shocked her into thinking something that left her heart feeling like firecrackers suddenly exploded. Me, too! Those words shot into her mind, and she stiffened with thoughts bombarding into each other, driving her to distraction.
Later… Deal with this insight later. Oh God, its true.
“Mia, did you hear me?” Angie looked amused.
“Yes. I guess I’m just curious as to why the hero-worshipping tone.”
“Because, he’s going to be the mayor of Maricopa, and guess who’s going to be his P.A.?”
“Haven’t a clue.” Mia noticed the smug look on her aunt’s face and corrected her comment. “Unless he’s chosen the most perfect person for the job? Which would be you.”
“See, I told you he was smart.”
“Oh, Angie. That’s great. But hold it for a minute. You’ve just gotten released from the hospital after having a pacemaker installed inside your chest. I’m thinking you need to let your body heal and take things easy for some time.”
“We won’t be installed in the office until the New Year. I’ll have plenty of time to rest.”
“Still, it’s a huge change for you.”
“Hell, girl. My body will tell me if I’m overdoing things, but my mind’s in no way affected. Most of the job is administrative paperwork, telephone calls and computer stuff. And… guess who’s a genius with a computer?”
Laughing, Mia answered, “That’ll be you again. Never knew why you insisted on taking all those computer courses, but they’ll pay off now.”
Serious for a minute, Angie answered, “Just because a person is retirement age, in no way does it affect their skills or their intelligence. Let’s face it, the way of the future is going to be with computers, there’s no getting away from that truth.
And I wanted to be a part of that future, to know how to deal with my own banking and business, and to see the world the way the younger generation does.
That meant taking myself out of my comfort zone and getting help from a pro.
So, I signed up for some courses at the college.
Damned if I didn’t find out I loved it. Took a few more advanced courses and now I’m pretty savvy.
Makes me feel good about myself, and life’s a lot fuller when I have the whole world waiting at my fingertips. ”
“Whoever said it’s a young person’s game never met you.” Prideful, Mia reached over to hug her aunt. “Well Miss Fancy Pants, P.A., lunch is on me.”
***
Angie glowed. Settling back in her chair, she looked around at the others in the restaurant. Before she knew it, friends who just arrived approached to share hugs and best wishes for seeing her out of the hospital.
Unsurprising, since she’d lived most of her life in this small place, she knew scads of people. More visitors than the hospital staff could easily accommodate came to see her once they’d lifted the family-only ban.
Taking notice, she recognized scads of friends who’d refrained from interrupting her and Mia, waiting to catch her attention so they could send waves and blow kisses.
A feeling of well-being settled over her.
Life couldn’t be sweeter for her at this moment.
She’d be sharing her house with people she loved, she had a new job that would give her a reason for springing out of bed each morning, keeping her out of Mia’s way, and having a child around would only add immense joy.
Years earlier, when her love had died, a part of her had locked itself away and never functioned again. No man had ever taken his place, or could, and so she’d tried filling that emptiness with friends, family and work.
In her younger years, she’d spent most of her time as a personal caregiver. Having a nursing degree meant she could pretty well take on any health-related position, but she found working in hospitals too confining. Instead, she’d preferred to work with seniors or better yet – youngsters.
Until she’d retired three years ago, she’d been in high demand as a private nurse.
But it became too much for her, and she’d been forced to slow down.
Physically, she’d known her body was spiraling into bad health, but crazily she’d ignored the symptoms, taking over-the-counter medications as a stopgap.
But now, she felt better than she had in years.
The sense of peace that always engulfed her when she opened to it spread around her in a spiritual warm hug.
It felt the same as when her man had swept her into his arms and held her against his hard body.
She felt safe and cared for… and ridiculously happy.