Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Rita beamed the entire drive home from the hospital.
She’d been given the all clear. She’d been in remission from cancer for a full year.
Throughout that journey, she’d lost a lot of weight, had become more active, was eating healthier, and felt as though she was ten years younger.
The impending twelve-month follow-up tests had weighed heavy on her mind, even though she’d avoided talking about it with any of her family or friends.
She didn’t want to worry them, but she’d considered that maybe the cancer had returned.
Now she knew that it hadn’t, she couldn’t stop smiling.
Julie and James were home from their honeymoon, and Tyler had left the farmhouse and moved back in with Rita.
She was glad because she’d missed him. She could tell he wasn’t going to stay long this time, since he’d always been one to want his independence.
She knew him well enough to see that he had itchy feet and would be looking for a place of his own soon enough.
She only hoped it wouldn’t be too far away.
And given that his daughter lived nearby, she didn’t think he’d want to put too great a distance between himself and her.
He was enjoying fatherhood and made sure that he saw her frequently, drove her to daycare when her mother was working, and picked her up whenever Candy couldn’t manage it.
Rita was proud of the way he was stepping up in this new role.
He was in the kitchen, making something that smelled delicious on the stove.
“What’s that you’re fixin’?” Rita asked, sniffing the air as she put down her purse.
“Chicken and mushroom risotto.”
“Ooh la la. Fancy!” Rita said with a smile. “Where did you learn to make risotto?”
“I know this sounds real bougie, but in Italy. When I was stationed in Germany, we went over to Italy on leave and ate the best risotto. So, I looked up the recipe and saw it was something I could make real easy with just a single pan. It became somethin' of a favourite with the guys.”
“I’ll bet it did. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, huh?”
He stirred the risotto with a wooden spoon. “Yeah, I guess so. I kind of like cooking. I should get you to teach me more of your recipes. You’re still the best cook I know.”
“Thanks, honey.” She gave him a sideways hug. “I didn’t tell you that I was headed to the hospital this mornin' because I didn’t want you to worry…”
He looked at her, eyes wide. “What?”
“Don’t fret,” she continued. “The doctor wanted to run some tests to make sure I’m still in remission. And I am.”
Relief washed over his face. “That’s great, Momma. I’m glad.”
“Me too. Now I can forget all about it. At least for a few more years.”
“We should celebrate,” Tyler said. “With risotto and moonshine.”
Rita chuckled. “Risotto and moonshine? That’s a great name for a restaurant.”
“Or a band,” Tyler added.
“True. I can just picture you up on stage with a guitar at some honky-tonk, playing a country tune.”
He turned off the stove. “I’ve got some moonshine in my room. I’ll pour us two glasses and we can sit down together, eat, and celebrate a year in remission.”
He found the moonshine and poured them each a glass. Then he spooned risotto into two large bowls. Rita grated parmesan over the top, added ground black pepper, and they carried it all to the table. Her first bite was heavenly.
She raised a hand skyward. “Hallelujah! That is divine. I must’ve done somethin’ right raising you.”
Tyler chewed on a mouthful of risotto, then chased it down with a swig of moonshine. “This one’s peach flavoured. Let me know what you think.”
She sipped hers gingerly. It was very strong. “I like it. But I’m worried about you…”
“Oh, Momma… don’t...”
“I know, I’m a stick in the mud. But I can’t help it.
I worry about you doin’ this. What if you’re found selling illegal liquor?
You could get in a lot of trouble, and it’d impact your future employment.
If you make it for yourself, that’s one thing, but I know you’ve been selling it.
” She’d seen the containers going out the door.
She wasn’t certain, but he soon confirmed her suspicions.
“Just to some friends of friends. It’s no big deal.”
“And how did you find your way into my locked closet? I noticed you were stashin’ some of your moonshine in there without asking.”
He grunted. “The key was in that little table thingy in the hall. Look, I’m sorry Momma, I didn’t know your closet was some kind of secret hideaway, but I’ll stay out of it now. Anyhow, I’ve decided to stop moonshin’. I applied for a position with the sheriff’s office.”
“What? You did? I didn’t know about this. Why didn’t you say somethin’?”
“I haven’t heard yet, but I have a good feeling about it. I think it’ll come through. And even if it doesn’t, I believe I know what I want now. I’ve been considering it, and the more I think about it, the more I want it.”
“That’s a great idea, honey. You’d be so good at that.”
“Thanks, Momma. Your support means a lot to me. So, I’m not gonna sell anymore moonshine. And you can quit worrying about it.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Where did you get the idea for being a sheriff?”
“I’m seeing this girl…”
“Well, I know about Jessica.”
“Right. I went to see her at the school where she teaches, and her ex-boyfriend was there harassing her. So, I put him on the ground and waited for the sheriff to arrive. He told me I should apply, thanked me for helping him out like that, and said I had good instincts and the right skills for the job.”
“Well, good Lord!” Rita’s brow furrowed in consternation.
“You’ve been livin’ a whole Jerry Springer drama that I knew nothin’ about.
Who is this man? I hope he didn’t hurt you.
Is Jessica okay?” She had so many questions.
Why was Tyler always such a closed book?
He never told her anything until it was all over.
“Jess is fine. She had a restraining order on him, and he was stalking her, so I think he’s going away for a long time. At least, I hope so. We’ll see, I guess. You never know when it comes to the court system.”
“Is that why she moved here?”
“Yep, she wanted to get away from him. She told me all about it a while back. So, as soon as I saw him, I knew who he was.”
“Well, honey, I’m real proud of you for intervening. Not everyone would. But you’ve got a good heart.”
“I like her a lot, Momma. I hope you will too.”
“If you like her, then I’m gonna like her. She sounds like a firecracker.”
“She is, but she’s gentle as a dove. She has this little kitten that follows her around mewling, she’s a teacher and loves those kids — it’s new, so she’s still figuring things out, but she’ll be a great one.”
“Jessica sounds amazing. I’m so happy for you, honey. You really are finding your feet.”