Chapter 2
“Oh, my. So sorry. I didn’t expect to, um, sorry. I can come back another time,” Sofia said. She fumbled her words and felt herself blush.
A naked Lottie waved her off as if nothing was odd about sunbathing in the nude. She grabbed a nearby robe and wrapped it around her waist.
"I'm sorry. Didn’t Janet tell you that this is how I roll when I'm home alone? It's one of the perks of being single with no kids at home. I'm not an exhibitionist and would never shed my clothes in public; in fact, I'm fairly modest when I’m not at home,” Lottie said.
"I should have knocked," Sofia said. "I'm here to pick up Otto and Oscar. They're bigger than I remember." The dogs jumped on Sofia. It was their way of welcoming her to Landing Lane. “Amanda and I arrived later than planned, so thank you for keeping the dogs."
“Oh, it’s fine. I don’t work on Fridays, so it wasn’t a problem at all. I’m here all summer if anything comes up. What are you doing for work these days?” Lottie asked.
“I’m teaching literature at SFSU. I’m an adjunct professor, which gives me the flexibility I need.
The pressure of working towards tenureship would be too much at this point in my life.
Amanda is still living with me, so between her and work, I keep busy," Sofia said.
She was relieved that Lottie didn't ask how she was doing and shot her a sympathetic glance.
As a widow, despite Vince being gone for ten years, most considered her broken.
There was a part of her that would always be healing, but she wasn't fragile or broken.
“Is there a special someone in your life?” she asked.
"Not at the moment. I tried swiping and went on some blind dates recently to pump things up, but nothing came of it. I was seeing a neighbor for a while, but it didn’t work out with Allen either.
Now, I’m waiting for things to happen organically.
My life is full without a significant other, but I'll admit that it's better with one," Sofia said.
“Has Janet gotten involved? Matchmaking is her thing, and I had to tell her I'd had enough. There isn't an age-appropriate single man in Morro Bay that she hasn't suggested. There aren't many of those, and I prefer to keep them as friends."
"My Aunt Janet hasn't been too heavy-handed," Sofia said. She had a few emails from Janet that she hadn’t opened yet. Suggestions may have been in one of those.
"Her heart is in the right place, and I consider her a 10/10 as far as neighbors go.
Janet has the best travel stories, and she's always paying to have a tree planted to beautify the neighborhood.
The chamber of commerce loves having her because she's a walking billboard for this place.
Janet is good at spreading the word, and that's free advertising,” Lottie said.
“Do you like your work at the chamber of commerce?”
"I do. Working in computer forensics for years took its toll.
I love it, but I was with the FBI, and they asked a lot of me.
I turned forty, which was too soon to retire, so I transformed my life.
Working for the town of Morro suits me," Lottie said.
She looked at the salivating dogs. "These guys are due for dinner.
They each have a cup, and I've been giving them pigs' ears, which keep them busy through the night.
I assume you're good with all the responsibilities Janet left you? "
“Yes, of course. I’ve raised Amanda through her tween and now teen years. There’s not a lot I can’t handle. I should get going because they’re beginning to size me up like a porterhouse. Thanks again." Sofia took Otto and Oscar, who were happy to be headed home.
Sofia had a dog with Vince, but she had to rehome it when Amanda moved in.
She was allergic, but since Janet’s dogs were hypoallergenic, it was okay.
Jersey was really Vince's dog, so his best friend, Arch, and law partner happily took him in.
He was in pieces over Vince's death, and he thought the dog might feel like he still had a part of him. Sofia wasn’t sure what became of the animal.
Arch Owings was a rock when Vince died, and Sofia couldn't have taken care of things without him.
There was a lot that had to be done when a loved one died, and she was clueless.
Arch was clever, funny, and resourceful.
He was like a brother to Sofia while Vince was still alive.
The problem was that afterward, he reminded her that her husband was dead.
The memories were too painful. Arch sensed that, and now they were Facebook friends and not much else.
If he were walking on the opposite side of the street, she'd race to him and give him a big hug. Sofia guessed Arch would do the same.
Sofia knew he worked at a law school in San Luis Obispo, which was a short drive east. He seemed single, as he never referenced a woman on Facebook, and he was close to his son, Marcus.
Sofia might text him and invite him to Morro Bay if he had the time.
Being reminded of Vince would be joyful, not sad, as it was when her wounds were fresh.
Sofia shook her head, trying to focus on the present, and called the dogs inside.
Janet's scent lingered in the air, carried by the incense she always burned.
The mix of patchouli, plum, and rosemary was unusual, and it took a while to get used to.
Some people, like Sofia, never really liked it.
She opened a few windows to let the strong smell fade.
As expected, the artwork from her last visit was gone, replaced by pieces her aunt collected in Honduras. She had been in Haiti before that, and Sofia wondered what had happened to the pieces she no longer displayed. Knowing Janet, they had probably been donated to a struggling gallery somewhere.
Large plate-glass windows took advantage of views of Morro Rock and the harbor.
The house wasn't beachfront, but close enough to make it feel that way.
Morro Bay had sandy beaches, but it wasn't the best for swimming.
People did it anyway, especially young people who didn't mind its rocky nature and mostly waded.
Sofia brought in everything from the car. For now, she would put some things in one of the extra bedrooms until she could find a better spot. She walked by Amanda's closed door, then the bunk room, and finally opened the door at the end of the hall.
“Hello, you must be Sofia. I’m Lillian Long.” She was a woman whom Sofia had met years ago. She had short grey hair and milky blue eyes. Her skin was deeply creased, and she wore a caftan that matched the house’s color.
Sofia was in shock. Janet’s aunt’s presence was a complete surprise.
She would have remembered if Janet had mentioned a ninety-something woman needed care in addition to the dogs.
Miss Lillian had more of a right to be there than she did because it was her niece’s home.
She wasn't really blood-related, and their actual connection was a mystery.
They acted like mother and daughter, so the details weren't important.
Sofia decided to just roll with it because it seemed rude to ask what the heck she was doing there.
She acted as though it was perfectly normal to find a nonagenarian in the back room.
“That’s me, Sofia Baxter. I last saw you at my husband’s funeral ten years ago. My hair is shorter, and I’m no longer emaciated, so I’m surprised you recognized me.” Sofia walked to her and kissed her on the cheek.
“Have you remarried or are you stuck in widowhood like I was?” Miss Lillian asked.
"I'm single," Sofia said with a smile. She wasn't stuck, but their age gap made them see things slightly differently. She would always grieve her husband in a way, but she was open to a relationship when the right man presented himself.
"My Gerald died when I was fifty, and I've been stuck ever since. Not giving dating or marriage another try is one of my only regrets. I feel a woman can still love and honor her first husband after he dies if she remarries. It took me too long to figure that one out, and I advise you not to do as I did.”
“I don’t think I’m stuck but very choosy, and I’m not going to be with someone to avoid being alone. The issue is that Vince was such an amazing husband. The next man I’ll consider spending time with has a lot to live up to,” Sofia said. “I’m not sure he exists.”
"What do they say about having to kiss a lot of frogs?" Miss Lillian said.
"Janet didn't tell me exactly how you came to live here. Was the assisted living facility not up to your standards?” she asked in the least insulting way she could think of.
“Oh, Doll.” She gestured dramatically with her grey and bony hands.
“The facility was the best money could buy, but it wasn't possible to forget where I was. Old people were everywhere, and the memory care wing loomed over the place. Most of us were headed in that direction even if we denied it. There was a sterility in the place they tried to hide, but it was there. When I was there, I felt I was waiting to die instead of living.”
"I get that. My parents died in their late fifties and early sixties, so I didn't get the opportunity to see them as old as you are.
You being here is a gift since I'm sure you have a lot of wisdom to impart," Sofia said. Seeing Miss Lillian was a shock, and she couldn’t believe Janet didn’t tell her.
"I'm going to unpack, and then you can fill me in on what kinds of meals you eat and when. I have my niece here with me, and we both drive, so just ask, and we’ll take you, provided the car is here.”
“You only have one car for two people?” Miss Lillian asked. “I’ll buy you another.”
"No, but thank you for the offer. I bought Amanda a car when she was sixteen.
That vehicle is no longer on the road, so she has to buy her next car.
I ask her father about the big things, and that's his decision. So much has been taken from my brother in prison. I refuse to take away his parenting decisions,” Sofia said.
“Oh, foo, but I respect your decision. I love buying cars, but I no longer drive.”
"Thanks for that, and don't ask Amanda if she wants you to buy her a car because she'll let you do it in a second," Sofia said.
“Who’s Amanda, dear?” Miss Lillian asked. “Did she come with you and your husband?”
"What are you…" Sofia started to say, but then she realized Miss Lillian likely had age-related dementia.
A couple of her friends were dealing with parents in their eighties who had begun to forget.
A lot of people thought there were good days and bad days with a loved one with dementia.
Sofia knew that it was more like good moments and bad moments.
"Can I get you some tea? I'll fix dinner soon, and we can resume our discussion then. "
“That sounds wonderful. Leave my tea on the table because I’ll probably enjoy a little rest,” Miss Lillian said.
Sofia backed out of the room and quietly closed the door.