Chapter 33
B
ernice peered through the newly purchased set of binoculars she'd ordered from a catalogue she'd read while she was on the treadmill. She scanned the front yard again and again. Still, there was no sign of that giant
FOR SALE
sign that had been there when she found Frankie and brought him home, just two days ago.
With a renewed sense of purpose, she again thought of her reason for being here. She didn't give a hoot what Dr. Becker or anyone else who had been with her in that operating room said. She
had
died. She remembered hovering above her body, looking down, and seeing her own heart as it was pumped by a mechanical contraption that looked like something out of an old Frankenstein movie. Knowing she'd helped save Frankie was something to claim, but she knew she'd been sent back to earth for another important purpose. Not that saving little Frankie wasn't important; it was. But her gut told her there was something more about to take place at the old Patterson place, and now, with the
FOR SALE
sign gone, she had a funny feeling that it was about to happen.
One last time, before Jamie caught her spying with her binoculars, she scoped out the house. It wouldn't do for Jamie to see her, as she would be on the phone to Toots so fast, it would make her heart race faster than that of a horse in the Kentucky Derby coming down the stretch and straining to reach the tape first.
Tucking the binoculars in the bushes so they would be there when she returned, she hurried back inside. Jamie was baking sugar-free brownies this afternoon, since Bernice hadn't indulged in anything remotely sweet since her bypass surgery. She felt better than she had in years, and she didn't want to do anything to mess it up. She was seventy-two and in remarkably decent shape. Who knew? Maybe she would live long enough to see her wandering son again. She cleared those thoughts from her head, because they would only depress her. As she was about to go back inside, she heard voices. Quickly, she stepped back to the bushes, spreading them apart just enough so that she could see where the voices were coming from.
Two men, one of whom was probably close to her in age. One was carrying boxes and placing them on the large wraparound porch. They sounded like they were arguing. She strained to make out their words.
“Look, Robert, you can kiss my old ass, okay? I got the place for a steal. If you think you're not going to be happy living here in Charleston, then I will be more than glad to return you to that nursing home in Atlanta I just dragged you away from.”
Bernice was enthralled! Someone else telling someone to kiss their old ass! Her favorite words! Maybe this was a sign; maybe these two new neighbors were the reason she'd been allowed to live. Wanting to find out as much as she could, simply because she was nosy and admitted to it, she was suddenly grateful for Jamie's brownies. She was going to bring her new neighbors a nice little treat and introduce herself. From there, well, she'd play it by ear.
Hurrying back inside, but using the front door just in case, she called out to Jamie. “Looks as though someone has purchased the place next door. That
FOR SALE
sign is gone.”
Jamie was in the kitchen, slicing her healthy version of brownies, and had just started a pot of decaf when she heard Bernice come in through the front door. Knowing that Bernice was nosier than most, she almost pitied whoever the new neighbors were. Unbeknownst to the little old woman, Jamie knew that she'd been spying on the old Patterson place, but didn't say a word. Bernice needed something to do that didn't involve Jamie.
Bernice sat down at the kitchen table. “I've decided I don't want those brownies. If I can't have the real thing, there's really no point. I don't want to see them go to waste, so I had an idea. I'm sure we have new people next door. I saw them carrying in boxes as I was . . . checking the mail. They look like two old men who would really appreciate a sweet treat. Would you be greatly offended if I took those brownies over there? With that pot of coffee I smell, and maybe you could make a tray of sandwiches or something?”
The words were no sooner out of Bernice's mouth than they heard a loud banging on the back door. Jamie placed the plate of brownies in the center of the kitchen table, then hurried to get the door before Bernice.
What she saw brought a huge grin to her face. Possibly this was Bernice's find.
“Hi,” she said as she opened the screen door. “Can I help you?”
A tall, slender man who appeared to be anywhere from his mid-sixties, with a full head of black hair and a warm, friendly smile, nodded. “I'm Wade Powell. I just bought the place next door. I was wondering if I could borrow your phone? The utilities aren't on yet, and they were supposed to be on this morning, before my brother and I arrived from Atlanta. My cell phone is dead, and I can't even plug it in to charge it.”
Jamie, sensing the older man's embarrassment at having to ask, spoke in as friendly a voice as possible. She wanted to convey to him right away that he was more than welcome to use the phone. “Of course. Come on in. Bernice and I were just getting ready to have a snack. Would you care to join us?”
“Sure smells good, but I wouldn't want to leave Robert too long. He gets antsy when he's alone.”
“Well, why don't you make your phone call, then go back and get Robert? Bernice and I would love to meet him,” Jamie announced as she handed him the portable phone and the phone book.
“You know what, young lady? I am going to take you up on your offer. It's been a long drive today, and we didn't bother to stop. Robert hates eating out.”
Bernice was seated at the table, with a bird's-eye view of the man she'd seen carrying the boxes in next door, but before Jamie took it upon herself to introduce him, she raced out of the kitchen into the small powder room at the end of the hall. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. Shit, she looked like hell. Quickly, she twisted her loose hair into a French twist, splashed cold water on her face, then pinched her cheeks so hard she almost screamed, but she achieved the desired effect. A rosy glow.
Minutes later, she seated herself at the table again. Jamie was still speaking to the man she now knew was Wade, who had an older brother who didn't like to eat out. Amazing what you could learn when you were as nosy as she was. Bernice smiled.
Jamie brought a stack of dessert plates to the table, allowing her neighbor a few minutes of privacy in which to make his phone call. “Why, Bernice, you look . . . so different from the way you did minutes ago. I'm honored that you're cleaning up before our little afternoon snack. My grandmother was always big on coming to the table well groomed.”
Bernice rolled her eyes. “Can't a woman brush her hair without a fuss being made? I just went to the bathroom and saw how wild I looked, that's all. Now, where are those brownies? I'm famished all of a sudden.”
“I thought you wanted to give these to our new neighbors over at the old Patterson place? What made you change your mind?” Jamie asked, knowing the answer, but loving to mess with dear old Bernice.
Jamie and Bernice couldn't help but overhear Wade as he raised his voice. “Are you serious? I was told they would be turned on first thing today. Tomorrow afternoon is the earliest you can turn the power on? Yes, yes, of course I know I'm not the only newcomer in Charleston. A storm? No, I didn't know that. Well, then I suppose I'll see you tomorrow.”
Wade cleared his throat, his way of letting the girl know he was finished with the phone. She had disappeared for a minute, and he didn't want to leave without thanking her, and hopefully, she'd remember that she'd just invited him and Robert to join her for whatever the delectable smell was wafting throughout the kitchen.
“We're over here,” Jamie said. A two-sided fireplace separated the kitchen from the large dining table.
“Well, it looks as though I won't have power until later tomorrow. Apparently, there is a hurricane headed up the East Coast, and the power company is preparing for massive outages. They said it was headed as far north as New York City. Can you believe that? A hurricane in New York. Beats anything I've ever heard.”
“Yes, I've been listening to the weather reports. It doesn't look good,” Jamie said.
Before Jamie had a chance to utter another word, Bernice stood and said, “Oh, hello. I heard someone talking, but I didn't know who it was. I see you've met my granddaughter. I'm Bernice, and you are?” She held her hand out as though she were the queen.
“Wade Powell.” He held out his hand and shook hers. “I was just telling your granddaughter we're without power. Seems this big hurricane has delayed the power company a bit. I guess we'll have to dig through all those boxes we have. I'm sure there's a stray flashlight and a candle or two in them somewhere,” Wade said.
“Well, Granny,” Jamie said, looking at Bernice, “I think we probably have a flashlight or two we could lend them.”
“Nonsense!” Bernice said. “They'll come and stay with us until their power is on. I insist. We have plenty of extra room here. Plus, we have power.”
“Oh no, I couldn't impose like that, Bernice. But I will take your granddaughter up on that little snack. If the offer still stands, I'll just run home and get Robert. Like I said, he doesn't like to be left alone for very long.”
“Granny, why don't we ask Wade and Robert to stay in
your
guesthouse? The last time I checked, it was fully stocked with everything one would need, and then some. And please, Wade, do run along and get your brother. I won't pour the coffee until you have returned,” Jamie added.
As soon as Wade left, Jamie turned to Bernice. “
Granddaughter?
Why in the name of all that's holy did you tell that poor man I was your granddaughter? Not that I mind. You know how much I love you, but isn't that. . . dishonest?” Jamie asked, obviously confused.
Bernice felt her face turn red, but Jamie would understand. “Listen, I know you and the others don't believe me when I tell you I was allowed to live so that I could find out what, if anything, is going to happen next door. I just thought it would appear . . . proper if they thought I was the home owner, instead of some old housekeeper who should have been put out to pasture a long time ago.” Bernice knew she sounded like a crazy old woman, but what the heck? She wasn't out to harm anyone. Toots and the godmothers were in Los Angeles. Who knew when they'd return? And by then, Bernice was sure she could come up with some story as to why she'd lied. But for the moment, well, she just wanted to be queen for a day. Or two.
“Oh, Bernie, you know better. No one feels that way about you. You're family. But I'll cover you for now. Your secret is safe, at least for a little while.”
Bernice didn't know what had come over her. She normally wasn't one to fabricate things. That was more along Sophie's line. However, it was already too late to take it back. Later, if she got to know Wade better, she'd tell him the truth.
Ten minutes later, there was another knock on the back door. Wade and Robert stood on the back stoop, looking like two mischievous boys.
“This is Robert, my older brother. Robert, this is Jamie.”
“Come in. It's nice to meet you, Robert. Please make yourselves at home while I get the coffee. My granny is over there,” Jamie said, motioning in the direction of the huge fireplace. “She's thrilled to have company.”
The older man, a mirror image of his younger brother minus a few gray hairs, spoke in a soft voice. “It's a pleasure, my dear.”
As soon as Bernice saw Robert, her heart fluttered, and for a moment, she was sure she was about to suffer another heart attack.
She stood and held a shaky hand out. “Bernice. It's good to have someone in that old place next door.”
Damn,
she thought. That wasn't a very smart way to introduce herself. “We're very neighborly and have missed having someone to visit.”
There,
she thought. That sounded like something an old Southern lady would say, even though she was just an old broad from New Jersey.
“Please sit down. Jamie made these brownies. She owns a bakery in town. The Sweetest Things, it's called. Downtown Charleston. If you're in the area, stop in. She makes the best pralines in the South.”
The two brothers sat across from Bernice. Jamie brought cups, milk, and sugar to the table, then returned with the pot of coffee. After filling their cups, she served them each a large brownie and wished she had taken the time to ice them, but this would have to do.
“So,” Jamie said after she sat down across from the two brothers. “What brings you to Charleston? These old houses are usually passed down from generation to generation, right, Granny? Why, we've had this old place for . . . Heck, I can't remember. It's been in the family since long before I was born.”
Bernice gave Jamie the evil eye.
“Atlanta and the traffic. Plus, I lost my wife three years ago. I didn't want to stay there any longer. When Robert told me he was ready for a change, I decided to make it a big one for both of us. I like to tinker around with old houses. When my Realtor found this place, I flew in, checked it out, and as soon as I sold my house, well, here I am.”