Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
The following Sunday, Rita decided to throw a party to welcome Matilda to the family. That morning, Matilda attended an enormous Baptist church with Rita. There were thousands sitting in the pews. It took them half an hour in a traffic jam to get in and out of the parking lot. The service was lovely if somewhat different to what she was accustomed to. Everyone was dressed formally in their Sunday best, and the pastor wore makeup while a camera crew filmed him preaching. The music was well done, and there was a small stage drama involving some very cute children, which she enjoyed. Nothing like the much smaller casual services with electric guitar-led music and a pastor wearing shorts she’d been part of in Brisbane.
After church, they hurried home and got everything set up. There were trestle tables lined up against the walls of the living room and kitchen. Matilda covered them with white tablecloths. She set up a punch bowl along with a bucket full of ice into which she thrust various soda bottles—or Coke, as Rita called them, regardless of their flavour—and a huge vat of sweet tea with enough sugar to propel them each directly into a diabetic coma.
Soon, family members began to arrive and casserole dishes were added to the trestle tables. There were casseroles of every kind—green bean, hash brown, carrot soufflé, sweet potato soufflé, ambrosia along with rotisserie chicken, sliced ham, turkey and chicken wings. Dessert was piled onto a single table in the kitchen, and Matilda eyed off her favourite pies—including pumpkin, pecan and key lime. There was also Cool Whip to go with every dessert.
The same crowd came as she’d met at Stone Mountain, and now she was beginning to learn some of their names. There was Cathy, a middle-aged woman with a bouffant and bright blue eyeshadow. Earl, who looked to be about ninety-five, had a silent laugh that accompanied his body shaking. He laughed a lot. And there were a dozen children who darted in and out amongst the adults, grabbing handfuls of food as they went and squealing at a high decibel level.
Matilda had never been around such a large and vocal family, and she really liked it. Such a contrast to her quiet and serious family gatherings back at home. Her Brisbane family were studious and high-achieving, and unlikely to go on an adventure with her. This Covington family seemed to be curious and extroverted. A lot more like she was. She felt at home there. Even if it was all still strange and new.
She lined up with the rest of the group to fill her plate with goodies, then found a seat against a wall by the piano to eat. Rita was busy filling glasses with tea and chatting with family members. But soon, Cathy came to sit by Matilda. She lowered herself into a chair with a sigh and set her tea down beneath the chair.
“Now, don’t y’all knock that over.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Matilda replied. “How’s things, Cathy?”
Cathy fixed her with a piercing stare. “You’re still here?”
Matilda hesitated. “Yep, still here.”
“Why are you here, again? I can’t recall what Rita said about you.”
Rita overheard and came to join them. “Oh, hi Cathy, I see you’ve met Matilda. She’s from Australia and thinks she has some kind of family connection to us. From a DNA test. Remember? I told you about that?”
Cathy frowned. “DNA? I don’t know about that. How does that work?”
“Well, Tyler is my cousin, but we’re still trying to figure out how.”
“Or if it’s even right. I’ve still got my doubts,” Rita added. “Some kind of mix up, most likely. Although I can’t shake the feeling that you’re family. You look the spitting image of Helen, my sister. Did I tell you that?”
Matilda shook her head as she swallowed a bite of turkey. “No, you didn’t.”
“Well, you favour her a little, that’s true,” Cathy added, “although I wouldn’t say spitting image.”
“How are you two related?” Matilda asked.
Cathy and Rita exchanged a look.
Cathy seemed irritated. “We’re cousins. My daddy and hers were brothers. Course, they’re both gone now, so there’s not much holding us together these days. Except the café, of course.”
Matilda shot Rita a questioning look. Rita forced a smile. “Oh now, let’s not get into all of that today, Cathy. Matilda’s our guest. She doesn’t need all the dirty laundry on day one.”
“She’d best know what she’s getting into, if you ask me.” Cathy shook her head. “You can’t trust this one.” She pointed a dinner roll at Rita.
Matilda didn’t ask. She could see by the look of anger on Rita’s face that it was better to leave it alone. Although she was more curious than she could say. What had driven a wedge between these two cousins? Something involving the cafe?”
“Well, I never…” Rita’s face went pale. She clutched Matilda’s arm so tight it hurt.
“Rita?” Matilda reached for her, but it was too late.
Rita crumpled to the floor in a pile. Matilda jumped up with a shout. “Someone call 911!”
She bent over Rita, who patted her hand. “No, no … there’s no need for an ambulance. I just felt a little faint is all. I’ll be okay in a moment.”
“You look pale,” Matilda said as she squeezed Rita’s shoulder. “We’ll get you checked out in case. Okay?”
Rita lay back on the floor with a sigh. “Okay. That’ll be fine.”
In the end, the paramedics wanted to take Rita with them to the hospital. They wouldn’t let Matilda ride with her, but Julie had been called by someone in the group and was on her way from Athens to meet them at Piedmont Hospital. Matilda watched them leave, worry eating at her.
“She’ll be just fine,” someone said, then patted Matilda on the shoulder.
Soon, everything was packed up and cleaned up and the entire group had gone home. Matilda was left by herself in the quiet lake house. She’d never felt so alone.
The house phone rang, and she rushed to answer it.
“Hello?”
“Hey there, sugar, it’s Rita. I thought I’d give you an update.”
She exhaled with relief. “Rita, I was so worried.”
“Oh ,you’re sweet to worry. But I’m here at the hospital. Already comfortable in a room since they’ve decided to keep me overnight. Julie is here, and she’s making sure everyone is taking good care of me. Are you okay?”
It was just like Rita to be concerned about her when she was the one in hospital. Matilda squeezed her eyes shut. “I’m fine. Everyone went home a while ago. They did a great job of cleaning up so there’s not much for me to do.”
“Well, that’s good. They’re a wonderful bunch.”
“Did they figure out what’s wrong with you?”
“Something to do with my heart, but nothing for you to fret over. It’s a little temperamental is all, and gives me trouble now and then. It’ll be all right.”
“Just as long as you’re okay.”
“I’m fine, sugar. Just fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay, get some sleep.”
“I will.”
When she hung up the phone, Matilda stared at the wall, processing what she’d just heard. It was her heart — that seemed like something they all should be worried about. Was she downplaying it? Or was it really no big deal? There was no way for her to know. But maybe Julie would fill in the details when they met. It was frustrating not having a car, since it was a long drive to the hospital. And even if she decided to take Rita’s truck, which Rita had assured her was fine, she’d have to drive on the other side of the road. She wasn’t sure she was ready for that yet.
Outside, she stood looking at Rita’s truck, keys in hand. Maybe she could do it. The truck was an older model and had a gear stick. The shifter was also on the other side, she’d have to change gears with her right hand. Not that she’d ever learned how to drive stick. Stick is what Rita called it, rather than manual. She thought the description was apt.
“You thinking of stealing that truck?” Ryan’s voice was teasing.
She turned to see him walking up his driveway from the mailbox, letters in hand.
With a frown on her face, she inhaled a deep breath. “I’m thinking of driving it. Although I don’t know how to drive stick, and I’ve never driven on the right side of the road.”
“Okay. Is there something you need in particular?”
“Rita is in hospital, and I thought I should visit her.”
“She’s in hospital?” He blanched. “What happened?”
“Something to do with her heart. She assures me she’s okay, but I’m worried about her.”
“I can drive, if you like.”
“Really? I don’t want to be any trouble.”
“I don’t mind. I’d like to see she’s okay myself. Do you want to learn how to drive, or have me drive you there?”
“Maybe both?” She hesitated. What was she getting herself into? He was arrogant, rude, clearly didn’t like her. And she would be stuck in a car with him for at least an hour if he drove her to the hospital. Driving lessons would mean them spending even more time together.
“I’ll let you drive around the lake, then we can head to the hospital.”
“If you’re busy…”
He shrugged. “I was going to pay bills and watch a game. Nothing urgent.”
“Okay. Thanks.”