Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
I gave myself permission to forego the early walk on the beach and sleep later on Sunday morning since Brad and I were on the phone until well after midnight. The incoming call from Rita woke me.
“You didn’t check on me,” she complained.
“What time is it?” I asked groggily.
“Almost nine. If you’re not coming to church with me, you’ll have to move your car so I can get mine out of the garage.”
I stretched and sat up. “I’ll go with you, and I can drive.”
“Good. Do you think Heather and Alicia would like to come with us? We can go to brunch afterwards.”
“I don’t know. Why don’t you call Heather?”
“You can have the honors,” she said. “I wouldn’t want her to think I’m being pushy about church.”
Sliding my feet to the floor, I thought that was a ridiculous excuse. Heather had often accompanied Rita in the past. It wasn’t worth arguing, so I simply agreed. “And I’ll meet you by my car in forty minutes.”
Before heading to the shower, I started the coffee-maker and sent Heather a text which she didn’t acknowledge. Either she was still asleep or she’d started her meditations, so I’d try again later.
By the time I finished dressing, I noticed a return-text. Not enough time to get ready for church, but we’ll meet you at the hotel for brunch at 11. That worked for me.
I passed on the information to Rita in the driveway. As she buckled her seatbelt, she looked over her shoulder to Heather’s home. “I plan to say some prayers for Alicia, and you might want to do that, too. The poor girl is hurting inside, and I don’t mean by a possible brain tumor.”
“Right,” I agreed. “Heather came over last night.”
“I had a feeling she did.”
Turning the corner, I said, “I’m sorry if we made too much noise.”
“I was asleep the minute my head hit the pillow, but I heard talking when I got up to use the bathroom. By the way, you can tell your fiancé that I absolutely love its proximity.”
“I’ll do that,” I said, dodging a question about who had kept me up so late. Even the thought about our conversation made me blush, though I knew Brad would like to hear her praise about his work on her bathroom renovation.
“Did Heather mention my grandson?” she asked.
“Yes, she told me Wyatt was very understanding about her need to bring Alicia home. He’s in Marrakech, and the pictures are stunning. Ask her to show them to you at brunch.”
“I will. Are we still going dress shopping this afternoon?”
“Sure, if you want to.” I pulled into a parking spot at church, then turned to face her. “I know Heather doesn’t have her gown yet if you’d like to extend an invitation to her and Alicia.”
“They’re welcome to join us, but they might want the day to themselves. We can play it by ear.”
I followed her into the church and up to the first pew where she liked to plant herself.
I didn’t mind because I loved looking at the beautiful stained glass windows that evoked memories of Bible stories my grandmother told me long ago.
Brad and I had hoped to marry here and have our reception catered at Heather’s home, but the priest didn’t have an available date until the following year.
We made other arrangements, so it didn’t matter, though it would have been nice to celebrate our marriage at the shore. I got over my initial disappointment because I figured what didn’t fall into place wasn’t meant to happen, and all would be okay.
After church services, Rita greeted the pastor with compliments on his sermon, and I added my thanks. I liked that he talked about love, not hell, which probably had influenced my consideration of this church for my wedding.
Still in the reception area, Rita would go from old person to old person, not that many of her friends were left, wishing them a pleasant week. A few would pause to ask how she was doing after her fall; others may not have remembered her.
In the car, Rita directed me to the beachside hotel offering the magnificent brunch each week, ever since “back-in-the-day,” though I could have found the place on my own. As usual, she told me that she’d made a reservation for two, and possibly four.
Heading inside, I lent her my arm, “I hope Heather can get Alicia to come. I think she’d enjoy the fine-dining atmosphere.”
We used the dining room entrance and were delighted to find the two of them sitting in the Queen Anne chairs near the foyer. We gave them a hearty welcome before Rita approached the service kiosk. “I’m Rita Bennett, and there will be four of us today.”
“We’ll have your table ready in a moment, Ms. Bennett.”
Rita turned to Heather and Alicia. “I hope you both slept well last night, and I’m delighted that you’ve joined us today. This is my treat, so don’t make a scene later.”
“We appreciate it,” Heather replied. Her daughter seemed more intent in watching the waiters than responding.
We were led to a table-for-four almost immediately, and the handsome young man wearing black trousers, white shirt, and fancy bow tie who pulled out our chairs introduced himself as our waiter. “I’m Benjamin, and I’ll be your server today.” He directed his eyes to Alicia.
“I believe we’d all like the buffet,” Rita told him.
He smiled encouragingly. “Wonderful. Shall we start with a Mimosa?”
“Of course,” she said. “And I’d like coffee with cream. What do the rest of you want?”
We gave him our beverage orders, and he scampered off as Alicia watched his departing physique. I noticed his tight butt and muscular shoulders, which probably indicated workouts at the gym. “He’s cute,” Rita said. “In my younger years, I might’ve gone after a guy like that.”
Alicia chuckled. “He’s probably already taken.”
“Don’t be so sure,” Rita replied. “I saw the way he looked at you.”
I tried to warn Rita with my eyes that she was speaking with no filters, then reminded myself that Alicia was not a child.
In fact, Heather’s daughter seemed to relate to her elderly neighbor better than she did with her mother or me.
I nudged Heather sitting next to me and she nodded that she’d noticed it too.
Benjamin returned with our beverages and large plates for the buffet. “If you haven’t tried the pancakes,” he stated, “they’re my favorite.”
“I’m watching carbs,” Alicia said.
“Then go for the omelet,” he noted. “It’s loaded with protein because it’s topped with sausage bits and gruyère cheese. Oh, my gosh, it’s so good.”
She gave him the nicest smile I’d yet seen from her. “That sounds delicious, and I’ll definitely get that. Do you have any keto bread available?”
“It’s not on the buffet table but I can get you some. Would you like it toasted?”
“Yes, and you rock!” she declared, adding another smile.
When he sauntered off, Rita raised her Mimosa. “I’d like to again welcome Alicia home. Honey, I almost felt as if you were my granddaughter when you were young, and I still get those vibes. You’ve grown into a beautiful young woman, so Cheers!”
Alicia’s eyes misted. “I can’t believe I almost forgot you.”
Rita retorted, “Well, we’ll fix that starting right now. Let’s get in line for the buffet, then figure out how you can meet up with that hunk of a waiter.”
Heather caught my eye with a silent message to see how it all played out. I nodded my agreement, and we both laughed.