CHAPTER TWELVE
Later, after introducing Sugar to the people at the Café and grabbing a cup of coffee, Misty headed home.
She’d had Sugar for only one day but felt her horizons expanding with her presence.
People she scarcely knew stopped to talk to her and pet the dog.
Pro that she was, Sugar took the attention in stride.
At home, Misty showered and dressed for the day, then called The Woodlands to speak to Cassandra Overton to see about Sugar visiting her.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Overton isn’t able to talk to anyone. But I know she’d love to see her pet. Why don’t you come ahead with her dog? I’ll see that Ms. Overton is prepared. Just come to the front desk, and I’ll take you to see her.”
“Okay, I’ll do that,” Misty said, confused by the need for Sugar’s owner to be prepared. She put a leash on the dog, put her in her car, and drove to The Woodlands.
The handsome, one-story wooden building sat in a woodsy area outside of town and spread across land well-maintained by Graham Landscaping.
Sugar seemed to sense something exciting. When Misty parked the car and opened the door, Sugar jumped out of the backseat and tugged on her leash to get inside.
At the front desk, Misty explained who she was. A nurse emerged from the nearby office and introduced herself. “You’re here to see Ms. Overton, right?”
Misty nodded as Sugar wagged her tail.
“Ms. Overton is in the Memory Care Wing, which is why I wanted to accompany you for the visit. She has good days and bad days.”
“But she only recently came here,” said Misty, confused. “Unless someone else was taking care of the dog.”
“Her niece has been caring for both Ms. Overton and Sugar until recently, but she recognized that both needed more permanent help.”
“I see,” said Misty. “Will she recognize Sugar?”
The nurse smiled and glanced at Sugar. “I’m almost certain she will. Dogs make such an endearing impression on most of our patients. Let’s go see, shall we?”
Misty followed the nurse to a discreet hallway unseen from the reception area.
The nurse opened a heavy wooden door and led Misty and Sugar down another corridor to a private room.
Standing by the open doorway, the nurse called softly to Cassandra Overton. “Ms. Overton? We have some special guests here to see you.” The nurse waved Misty and Sugar inside.
In her excitement, Sugar tugged on her leash. Misty dropped it, allowing Sugar to go to her former owner. With tears in her eyes, Misty watched a woman who had been sitting statue-like come to life.
“Doggie!” Ms. Overton exclaimed, smiling.
Misty walked over to Ms. Overton and knelt beside her. “This is Sugar. Remember her?”
Light blue eyes studied her and then returned to Sugar, who’d laid her head in Ms. Overton’s lap. When she looked at Misty again, Ms. Overton’s eyes overflowed with tears. Seeming to understand who she was, Ms. Overton patted Sugar. “Good dog. Sweet as sugar.”
Sugar stretched her paws onto Ms. Overton’s lap and licked the tears off her cheeks.
Unable to stop tears from stinging her eyes, Misty took hold of Ms. Overton’s hand. “I promise to take care of Sugar.”
Ms. Overton turned to Misty, and for a moment, it was as if the older woman’s expression livened before the spirit behind it disappeared again.
Misty stood and picked up Sugar, who was softly whimpering. “It’s all right, Sugar, we’ll come back. Come with me.”
Blinded by tears, Misty set the dog down and led her away.
The nurse caught up with them. “Thank you for visiting her. I’m sure Ms. Overton enjoyed seeing her dog. Obviously, the two of them were close.”
“I’ll try to bring Sugar back to visit her again,” said Misty. “Sugar loved it too.”
They returned to the reception area.
Thinking of GG, Misty said to the woman manning the reception desk, “While I’m here, I’m wondering if I can visit with Ms. Wittner.”
“Of course. Do you know her room number?”
“Yes,” said Misty, relieved to have a reason to smile after the sadness she’d felt with Ms. Overton. “Everyone in town knows where GG lives.”
“She’s our most popular resident,” admitted the woman. “Go along. And, if you’re willing, please spend a few minutes with the residents in the living room before you leave.”
“I’d be happy to. Sugar is a trained therapy dog,” said Misty.
Misty led Sugar down the hallway to GG’s room. She knocked and, hearing GG’s response, entered her apartment.
“Oh, my! It’s you, Misty, and your adorable dog. I’ve heard all about her,” said GG, beaming at them both.
Misty chuckled. GG had a network of sources better than anyone she knew.
GG cooed and stroked Sugar’s ears and turned to Misty. “How about some lemonade?”
“Thanks. I’d love some. May I fix a glass for you?”
“That would be lovely, dear,” said GG. “Then sit and talk to me.”
Misty poured each of them a glass of lemonade from the pitcher in the refrigerator and brought them to the living room. She handed one to GG sitting on the couch, and then sat in a chair opposite her. She was amused to see Sugar lying by GG’s feet. The dog knew how to make herself comfortable.
GG took a sip of lemonade and faced Misty. “I understand you had a bit of a scare the other night.”
Misty told her about staying at David’s house and how his mother had offered to let her stay at her house whenever she needed to. She also told her that Susie was offering her some of Lily’s things.
“The Grahams are a lovely family,” said GG. “Susie is someone who does things for other people without a lot of fanfare. I know how heartbroken the family is to have lost Lily, and I think it’s sweet of you to spend some time with Susie. It’s an excellent way to help her.”
“I’m happy to do it. Having her tell me about my mother has been a gift to me. Are you going to come to town for any of the Labor Day Weekend Celebrations?”
A twinkle entered GG’s eyes. “Well, I’ve been invited to a very private celebration that only a few people, including you, know about.”
Misty clasped her hands. “The wedding! I’m so excited! Crystal and Emmett are so wonderful together. Wait until you see my dress. Poppy at the Wild Flower Boutique picked it out for me. It’s perfect.”
“How is Poppy doing? I remember when she first opened the store. She was concerned about getting year-round support, but I understand she’s done really well with it.”
“She seems to be busy. And she’s now occasionally meeting the rest of us at Jake’s. And Gage Martens, the new vet in town, has joined us too.”
“It’s nice to see the ‘summer group’ grow and expand with many new professionals in town,” said GG.
“It means they’re likely to remain here.
” She gave Misty a steady look. “How about you? I understand you’re starting to teach in a few days.
I’m delighted you’ll be teaching at Emerson Wittner Elementary School.
It seems right to have you be a part of the family, so to speak. I’m sure my father would be pleased.”
“Thank you. I’m honored,” said Misty, blinking rapidly.
She checked her watch. “It’s been nice chatting with you, GG, but I’d better go.
We’re going to visit residents in the living room.
Then I need to have lunch and go see Susie.
This evening, I’m going to a karate class that David teaches.
At his suggestion, I’ll be taking private lessons from him. ”
“That sounds like a good idea,” said GG, giving her a wide smile.
Misty gave GG a kiss on the cheek, waved goodbye, and left, her emotions still reeling from her visit with Cassandra Overton.
###
At home, Misty decided to go through her clothes.
She looked forward to having some new pieces but didn’t want to abuse Susie’s generosity.
She’d take only what she needed. It didn’t bother her that the clothes were secondhand.
She and her BFF in Florida had loved to go thrifting for clothes.
This would be much better because the items would have a special meaning.
Misty ate a light lunch, put a leash on Sugar, and took off for Susie’s house. She was enjoying her growing friendship with David’s mother but didn’t want her or anyone else to automatically assume that she and David were together. Misty wasn’t ready to think in those terms.
###
Misty pulled into the driveway of David’s parents’ house.
She got out of the car and took a moment to study her surroundings.
The house was something she’d admired from her previous visit.
It sat in a beautiful setting where the lawn met evergreen and deciduous trees.
The lake sparkled in the sun at the bottom of the rise of land where the house stood.
The house seemed to greet her as warmly as Susie, who’d opened the back entrance and was walking toward her.
“Hi, right on time,” said Susie, smiling at her.
Misty waved and let Sugar out of the car. “I brought her as you suggested.” She unhooked the dog from her leash. It’s okay, girl, go run and play,” said Misty, and Sugar took off running for the lake.
“Come on inside. I’ve set out a few things for you to look at, but there’s much more. I’ve kept most of Lily’s things, but now it’s time for them to go to a new home.”
Feeling Susie’s warmth and hearing such sadness in her voice, Misty turned to her. “If this is too early, too difficult, we don’t have to do this.”
“Oh, that’s sweet of you, but I hope this will be good for both of us.”
They walked into the living room and out to the sunporch to check on Sugar. Nose to the ground, Sugar was sniffing the rocks and gravel by the water.
“She probably smells the ducks,” said Susie. “Are you comfortable leaving her there?”
“Yes. It looks like she’s having fun.”
“Okay, then, let’s go up to Lily’s room. As I’ve said, I’ve laid out some things.”
They climbed the stairs and went to a bedroom whose walls were painted a pretty lavender.
“Eventually, I’ll repaint this room and fix it up as a guestroom,” said Susie. “It has a lovely view.”
Misty walked over to the window and looked outside. Sugar sprawled in the sun on the dock. Smiling, she turned to Susie. “This is a great place for a dog.”
“I think we’re ready,” said Susie. “I understand we have a new vet at the Animal Rescue Center. I plan to talk to him about it.”
“He’s very nice,” said Misty, standing by the queen-sized bed.
“The clothing lying there are items that I think suit you.”
Misty lifted one of the sweaters Susie had placed there. It was a gray, Irish-style sweater. “This is beautiful.”
“Try it on. It should fit you. You’re about Lily’s size.” Susie picked up another sweater, a bright blue one. “This was one of her favorites. It’ll look beautiful on you.”
Misty tried on the sweaters and then some skirts, dresses, slacks, and tops that Susie brought out. The more she tried on, the more excited Susie became.
“It does my heart good to know you’re willing to put them to use,” said Susie. “Lily would’ve loved getting to know you.”
“It’s very kind of you,” said Misty. “The things you’ve chosen for me are beautiful, items I might not be able to afford on my own. Thank you.” She glanced at the pile of clothes that had quickly grown.
“You’re welcome to go through her closet, but we’ve chosen the nicest ones,” said Susie.
“This is plenty,” said Misty. The thought of going through Lily’s closet was eerie to her.
She glanced at the framed photo on top of the white dresser.
It was a picture of a lovely blond woman and David, taken before Lily’s illness.
Lily and David looked surprisingly alike.
Misty knew she could never take Lily’s place, but she also knew what a comfort she was to David’s mother.
Susie held out a large plastic bag. “We can put the clothes in here.”
They folded and placed the clothes in the bag, and then Susie let out a long sigh. “That’s a big load off my mind. Thank you, Misty.”
“I should be thanking you.” Misty reached out and clasped Susie’s hand. She searched for more adequate words but was suddenly overcome by the sadness of it all.
Understanding, Susie came over to her, and the two hugged each other silently, letting the moment say what was in their heart.
###
After stowing the bag in her car, Misty returned to the house. Susie offered her a glass of iced tea, and they each took a glass to the sun porch.
“I wonder what’s going on at the Lilac Lake Inn,” said Susie. “It looks like a wedding.”
They sat and watched from a distance as a ceremony was taking place on the Inn’s grassy front lawn.
Misty thought of Crystal’s wedding and could hardly wait. The wedding might be small, but she knew it would be lovely. If only Emmett’s family would cooperate.
She hesitated, then said to Susie, “I appreciate what you’ve told me about my mother and your experience in social work and need to talk to you.
I’ve been trying to deal with the aftermath of being in an abusive situation.
I’m learning to say no when I don’t feel comfortable being with someone or don’t want to do something. ”
“And how does that make you feel?” Susie asked.
“More in control. But I need to be careful about not hurting anyone,” said Misty. She didn’t want to mention David’s name.
Susie took hold of her hand and looked her in the eye.
“We all have the right to our own space, so not inviting anyone into it is all right. And we all can choose how we want to live. But that doesn’t mean we might not need to compromise on how best to move forward without infringing on others’ rights. ”
Misty let out a long breath. “I remember the awful things my ex-boyfriend said to hurt me. I wanted to fight against his words, but that just made him angry. And he wouldn’t let me walk away. He always had the last say.”
“Are you learning to speak up for yourself?” asked Susie gently.
“Yes, I am. But I struggle sometimes. And when I feel frustrated, I tend to clam up.” Misty sighed. “I’m trying to do the work I need to do.”
“The process can sometimes feel like a roller coaster of emotions until you become more confident in yourself. When you’re frustrated, take a deep breath and speak calmly about your expectations.
If you feel someone is putting you down, quietly state your position and face the issue.
Pretty soon, you’ll find you have no problem speaking for yourself, even if those around you don’t agree with what you’re saying.
That’s fine. We’re all entitled to our own thoughts and opinions. ”
“I’m practicing a variety of ways to respond to situations that make me uncomfortable. And I’m building my sense of trust in others.”
“All good things,” said Susie. “I’m proud of you. Your confidence will grow as you continue standing up for yourself and responding to others in various ways. It’s sort of like planting a seedling and watching it take root.”
“Thanks,” said Misty. She paused and then threw her arms around Susie.