Chapter 2
Chapter Two
As luck would have it, the problem came down to a fussy baby and a phone call from a disgruntled customer who spoke with a heavy accent. Of course, English was also Nina’s second language, but we could usually understand her.
She took the baby to the room on the other side of the steps and I picked up the phone. “Good afternoon, sir. My name is Jodie Hanson, and I’ll be happy to assist you.”
He was difficult to understand, but the problem seemed to be that the grass cutter forgot to mow behind the shed in his back yard. He felt cheated since he’d already paid his bill online.
“I’m sure it wasn’t intentional, sir, and I’ll have someone return tomorrow to finish the job.”
He seemed happy with the solution, especially when I told him that he’d have one free cut the next week. I took his name and address, so I could make the change in his account later.
“Obrigado—thank you,” Nina said when she returned with a much quieter Marli, who was now about six months old. When Brad needed help, she’d stepped in, as long as she could bring the baby, and he’d agreed to those arrangements.
Nina had helped Bertha in the consignment shop, then she assisted me in getting rid of all of the items. I knew she’d do well for Brad, too, even with the infant. Her husband, Paolo, became Brad’s first full-time employee, and he managed the landscaping schedules.
“You’re welcome,” I replied. “Don’t let me forget to tell Paolo to send someone to finish cutting the guy’s grass.”
She looked startled. “That was the problem? Why would he be so angry?”
“I don’t know, but he seemed calmer when we finished. Do you need me for anything else?”
“No, we are good. You see Marli smiling at you?”
“I do,” I said, returning her smile. “She’s getting so big!”
“Yes, she tries to crawl, but not so good yet.” She put the baby down on the blanket behind the counter and Marli rolled over immediately. “You see? She feels at home here.”
“Soon, you’ll need a playpen,” I teased. “I’m heading to the grocery store if you need anything.”
“Obrigado, but no. Maybe we will see you tomorrow.”
“Definitely,” I replied, stepping out to the porch.
We didn’t continue chatting since two customers arrived at the same time, but I took a closer look at the flower containers on the porch. Nothing could salvage them, so I made a mental note to ask one of the workers to dump the plants and move the pots to the basement.
For a fleeting moment, I wondered who would take care of them in the spring. I didn’t bother planning that far ahead since everything in my life was changing so rapidly. What would be, would be.
I left the back door open so I’d have fresh air while I put away the groceries, then worked on the Quality Landscapes accounts in my kitchen office.
It took only a moment to comp the customer a free mow, then email Paolo to send someone to finish the job in the morning.
After that, I paid bills and worked on my travel blog.
I didn’t have an accounting background, but I’d handled a number of accounts at the publishing firm before I left to grieve.
When Rita told Brad he’d be better able to expand his business if he’d let me take some of his duties, we decided I could be the chief financial officer.
So far, the extra work hadn’t interfered with my job as a travel writer, and I liked being involved in his company.
My boss, Elsa Kroger, had encouraged me to travel beyond my comfort zone, and I tried.
Heather and I had planned the trip to Texas, then I got cold feet, so I invited Wyatt to take my place.
As a renowned photographer, he took amazing pictures and gave me written permission to use some of them for an article I wrote highlighting places they visited.
Elsa had approved it, Heather and Wyatt received full credit, with recognition in a national women’s magazine, and I fulfilled my end of the deal.
I knew that wasn’t enough to see me through September so, somehow, I had to travel to some location before the wedding. The very thought of going alone made me anxious.
Before Wyatt entered the scene, Heather would have come with me to any destination, and she’d have made our trip fun.
I didn’t bother asking this time because she wanted only to be with him.
If Brad weren’t so busy, he’d also gladly join me, although I hesitated to pressure him. I figured I had to do this myself.
While at the computer, I searched places to visit that could be done in a day.
I had no interest in going alone to a theme park, so I ruled out Hershey and Knoebels.
I considered Scranton, the Poconos, Gettysburg, and Harrisburg, all doable in a day, but I could take an Amtrak train to Harrisburg without having to drive to an unfamiliar area. That had possibility.
A phone call from Angela pulled me in another direction. I picked up with a cheery hello.
“What am I taking you from?” she asked.
“My next trip. What do you think about Harrisburg?”
She laughed. “Other than the state capital, it’s just a city.”
“That’s what I was afraid of, but I can get the Paoli Local to the 30th Street Station, and leave the driving to them.”
“True,” she agreed. “Maybe you can meet our legislators on the train and complain about our increased taxes.”
That made me laugh, too. “That’s a possibility.”
“I’m calling to see if you want me to pick you up tomorrow. I thought we could do lunch after you try on your wedding gown.”
“That sounds great. I have to be in Berwyn by eleven.”
“Right, and you’re on the way. I’ll get to you by ten-fifteen, so we’ll probably be early. I’d rather that, than late.”
“Me, too. Where do you want to go for lunch?”
“I don’t know. We’ll find something on the Main Line.”
I had a sudden inspiration. “Let’s go to Charlie’s Diner just off route 30 in Paoli. I used to waitress there.”
“I’d love to see the place,” she exclaimed. “We’ll definitely do that!”
“Good, and I’ll see you in the morning. Thanks, Angela.”
When we disconnected, I noticed the time and decided to start supper preparations for Brad and me. We’d been eating out or ordering, but I promised him a home-cooked meal and decided it would be spaghetti. I’d even bought ground beef to make the meatballs the way Tony’s mother did.
She cooked the meat in the sauce, yet I needed to prepare them first. I doubted Brad would finish work before six o’clock, so I had a good two hours.
I put a slice of bread in a bowl and covered it with milk, then added an egg.
Suddenly, my eyes filled with tears as I thought about my little boy, Chet, standing on a chair, using a fork to stir the mixture.
He loved smashing the egg and the soft bread while I added salt and pepper and oregano—and the memory led to my sobs.
Just when I believed I could let the past stay in the past, it collided with the present. How had I ever thought I’d be able to share my love with another man?