The Second Half (12 page)

“He's always been proud of you and your education, you know.”

“I know. But just thinking.”

“Maybe pizza?” Mellie looked up at her dad. “Even Jakey likes pizza.”

Magnus heaved himself to his feet. “Marit, you go order and I'll call the kids in, then get the pizza.” He winked at Mellie. “Thanks. I love pizza.”

That last Sunday with Steig was the shortest day of Mona's life. Soon after everyone was up, dressed, and fed, it was time to undress, bathe, and get in bed. At least it seemed that way to Mona. She deliberately, over and over again, forced her mind back to the now. No thinking about Monday allowed.

When she went in to kiss the children after Steig said good night, Mellie whispered, “Daddy leaves early, huh?”

“Yes.”

“We get to say good-bye, right?”

“Yes, we will all say good-bye.” She leaned upward and kissed Mellie's cheek, not easy from a top bunk.

“But he'll come back, he promised.”

Mona nodded. She kissed sleeping Jakey like the touch of a butterfly. And closed the door so Hyacinth could not get in and set off another screaming frenzy. She leaned her forehead against the door.
Please, Lord, please.

Monday morning the sun was yet to rise when the army van pulled into their driveway. Steig carried his duffel bag on one shoulder and his son in his other arm. He dumped the duffel on the ground.

“Good morning, sir.” The driver saluted smartly and picked up the duffel.

Steig returned the salute. “Stow this bag, too.” He took another bag from his father and hugged first his dad and then his mom, still holding his son. “I love you.”

“We'll be praying for you, Lord willing you come home soon.” Mona didn't bother to even try to mop the tears.

Steig knelt down to hug his daughter.

“Don't go away, Daddy.” Jakey locked his arms around his father's neck. “Don't go.”

“I have to, son, that's my job, but I'll see you soon on Skype and I'll come home as fast as I can.” He clutched both of them to his chest. “You be good for Grammy and Grampy.” He stood. “I love you all so much. God bless.” He turned and stepped up into the van as Ken scooped Jakey into his arms.

“Don't go Daddy! Daaaddyyy!” Jakey shrieked, and tried to pitch himself out of his grandpa's arms, reaching after the already-moving vehicle as if he could drag it to a stop and bring his daddy back.

As if anyone could.

C
ome on, little man, let's go look for worms.” Ken stood up from the table after lunch. Mona smiled as she watched him move. The man was a pied piper with little kids, college kids, ugly-tempered academics…

“Will Daddy be there?”

“No, but worms are really wiggly, fun to play with.” Ken held out his hand. “You can dig in the dirt, too.”

“Dirt?” Sitting on his grammy's lap, Jakey wrinkled his nose as he studied his grampy. His finger and thumb popped out of his mouth, and he slid to the floor.

“Can I come, too?” Mellie looked up from the game she was playing on the iPad.

“Of course.”

“Thank you,” Mona mouthed. Perhaps she could hide out in her office for a while. Why had she not planned for such contingencies as a small child's grief at his father's leaving? Good thing Ken had decided to remain home. She watched as Jakey reached for Grampy's one hand and Mellie took the other. As soon as they got involved, she'd go out and try to catch a good photo for Steig.

Just the thought of what he was going through made her blink a few times.
Comfort him, good Lord.
As the screen door closed behind the four, since Ambrose had decided to join them, she stood and stretched. With a glass of iced tea in hand, she headed upstairs. Chore one—check for messages, taking notes all the while so she could prioritize. Then, starting with number one, she put on her cheerful face and voice and started in. At least problem solving for her clients took her mind off her son.

She had one call to go when she heard laughter from the garden.

“No, Jakey, don't eat it!” Ken sounded like he was about to expire in laughter.

Ambrose barked and Mellie was giggling so hard that Mona's curiosity won over one more phone call. Even though this one might turn into a new client. She headed down the stairs and out. Ambrose charged over to greet her, yipping his delight at her joining them. She followed the laughter trail, iPhone at the ready. Ken sat cross-legged on the grass with Jakey holding up a very wiggly worm. Mellie was digging in the well-aged compost heap, obviously searching for more.

Ken took Jakey's hand in his, whispering something that made the little boy grin up at him. Mona snapped the photo, then moved closer for another one.

“Grammy, Jakey almost ate the worm.” Mellie dropped the shovel and danced over to join Mona. “I didn't find any more.”

Mona took a couple more pictures and sank down on the bench under the maple tree. “Oh, this is so lovely.” A breeze teased her hair and kissed her cheeks. “To think I was working when you all were having such fun out here.”

“Go show Grammy.”

She watched as Jakey cupped the worm in both his hands and came to stand in front of her. “What do you have there?”

“A big worm.” He opened his hands and giggled as the worm wiggled in his palm. “See, Grammy?” He looked up at her. “Fish eat worms, not me.”

“I'm glad to hear that. What are you going to do with the worm?”

A puzzled look met her question. He stared at the worm, which was about to flip out to the ground. Jakey grinned. “Give him to you.” He dumped the worm in her lap. “You eat it.”

Mona looked up to see Ken and Mellie laughing, she with both hands spread over her mouth, as if to keep the giggles in. “Well, I guess I'll have to take the worm inside to help me eat the cookies.”

Jakey spun in place, almost dumping himself on the ground. “I want a cookie!”

“How about then you put the worm back in the compost while Mellie and I go find the cookies?”

“I help you.”

“Take care of your worm first.” She placed the worm in his hand.

A short while later they gathered around the umbrella-shaded glass table and helped themselves to the last of the cookies and a plate of sliced apples.

“Is this coffee break time?” Ken asked.

“I guess you could call it that. As you know, around here folks take a coffee break whenever they feel like it.”

“A perk of retirement?”

She smiled. “Nope. I got lots of work for you to do here.”

“I suppose you have a list.”

“Several, in fact, arranged by location: garage, yard…”

“Grammy, can I have another cookie?” Jakey asked.

“Of course.” She passed him the plate. “And some apple?” She passed him the other plate as well, barely keeping from chuckling at the look on his face.

“I guess.” He took a slice.

“Jakey doesn't like apples,” Mellie announced to no one in particular.

“I like applesauce.”

“That's cooked apples.” Mona looked a question at both the kids. “Try this apple; it might be sweeter than others.” Vaguely she remembered Steig being quite particular; he only liked apples of the tart and crunchy variety.

Frowning, Jakey picked up an apple slice two-fingered, eyed it suspiciously, and touched it with his tongue, then put it down quickly.

“I don't like it.”

“You have to take a bite. At least one bite.”

Reluctantly, he picked up the apple slice and carefully took a tiny bite. “There.” He tossed it back on the dish.

Mona knew when she was licked. She had, after all, said “one bite.”

Another battle loomed; now if they could only change his fear of the cat. His father had worked with him on Saturday and Sunday, so at least now he didn't mind the cat being in sight. There was hope. And obviously the best way to victory is through stealth. But what way to go?

She pondered that question as she fixed dinner a while later, Hyacinth now curled up in her favorite chair at the kitchen table that from now on would be set for four. Once the sandwiches were made, she went to the door and called for Mellie to set the table.

“Is there time for Jake and me to walk down for the mail?” Ken finished hanging the garden tools on the wall rack.

“If you hustle. Do you want salad with your sandwich?”

“Sure.” He looked down. “You want salad, Jake?”

“He doesn't like salad,” Mellie threw over her shoulder as she climbed the three steps.

“I do, too!”

Uh-oh, rebel in the ranks
, Mona thought.

“You do not. Every time Dad tries to get you to eat it, you won't even try it because it's
green
.”

“Well, I'll put some on everyone's plates. Green things are good for you.” Mona smiled at her granddaughter. “You know where everything is now, right?”

“Guess so.” She stared at the cat, who stood and arched her back, more a stretch than a defense move, then looked to Mona for attention.

“What made Jakey so terrified of cats?”

“Mah— Our mother did not like cats. At all. One time at the neighbor's, a cat scratched Jakey because he was rough with it, and she got all upset. She wouldn't let us go back there anymore.” She reached for the napkin holder on the counter and pulled open the silverware drawer. “Just forks?”

“That'll work. I think Grampy is going to have to build a stool so you can reach the cupboards.”
And then I'll have it to trip over in the kitchen.

They finished setting the table, and she sent Mellie out to see where the guys were.

Picking up Hyacinth, she stroked the cat's head so the motor started. “How do we get that kid to like you, huh?” Hyacinth slitted her eyes and upped the purr power. “Well, I can tell you one thing, we're not getting rid of you; you lived here first.” When she heard the guys coming in the deck door, she patted the cat one more time and set her outside on the step. “Try to stay away from him, okay?”

Hyacinth sat looking out over the yard, tail curled around her legs, the picture of an innocent cat.

Mona raised her voice to the kids. “Wash your hands good.”

Mellie called, “We are.”

When they were all seated at the table, Ken asked, “Who wants to say grace?” No answer. “Mona, how about you?”

“Ah, sure.” She'd been waiting for one of the children to volunteer. They all joined on the amen, but this made her wonder if the kids did say grace before all their meals and that jerked her thoughts back to Steig. How was he? Where was he? He should have flown out by now. To where?
Lord, keep him safe.
From now on that would be part of grace, including their daddy in the prayers.

Tuning back into the conversation, she heard Jakey ask, “Grampy, when is my daddy coming back?”

“I don't know, but I'll tell you as soon as I find out.”

“Do we Skype tonight?”

“No, Thursday. This is Monday.” Mellie could sound mighty grown up at times.

“Tomorrow is Tuesday?” Jakey asked.

“Good for you, little man. So you know the days of the week?”

“I learned it in school.”

“Preschool,” Mellie corrected.

“School!” His jaw set.

Mona and Ken swapped looks. Fortunately, she'd forgotten to put the drinks on the table. “Do you want milk or lemonade?”

Mellie looked at her. “Well, it
was
preschool. He goes to kindergarten this year, and I'll be in the fourth grade.”

“Oops, something I just remembered. Your birthday is in two weeks.” Anything to change the subject.

Mellie nodded. “But Daddy won't be here.” Her voice sounded so matter-of-fact, but her chin quivered.

“Your birthday?” Jakey spoke around a mouthful of bread and tuna salad.

“Don't talk with your mouth full.” Mellie threw off the order as if she did so every day.

He stuck out his tongue, coated in his last bite.

“Ooh, ick.” She made a face to match. “Graaaammyyy!”

For sure, the honeymoon is already over.
Mona shook her head. She had thought it would last longer than this. “Milk or lemonade?”

She brought her and Ken lemonade and the kids milk. “After we eat, you can mark your birthday on the calendar, and we can think about a party.”

“Cookies?” Jake asked when they were done eating.

“Sorry, we ate all the cookies. How about a Popsicle?” At least she had bought a bag of them at the grocery. She'd have to learn to shop all over again, taking the kids' likes in mind.

“Jakey likes green. I like red.”

“I like banana best.” Ken joined the discussion. “They're yellow.”

“Grampies don't eat Popsicles!” Both kids stared at him.

“Why not? I like Popsicles.” He reached for their plates. “Mellie, do you know how to load the dishwasher?”

She shrugged. “Sort of.”

“Well, we are now going to have a lesson on dishwasher loading. Jake, you can learn, too.”

“And then Popsicles.” Mona thanked him with her eyes. “Outside.” Her phone chimed that she had a text. She stood. “I'll go in the other room to stay out of the way of dishwasher loading. How about wiping the table off, too?” Maybe it wasn't going to be so bad if Ken really pitched in, too.

Mona was glad she'd not checked the message in the kitchen. Steig.
Boarding now. Will let you know more as soon as I can. I love you all. Thank you.
No wonder they picked him up so early. She texted back,
All is well. Love you back. God keep you
, and went out to her favorite room so she could see the river. And let the tears fall.

This was not the way it should be. She and Ken should be on the road halfway up to the ferry to Mackinac Island, where she had reserved a suite with a view of the lake and the mainland for them to enjoy for two whole weeks. Hiking, fishing, taking photos—all the things he loved to do. She was going to take her crocheting and a stack of three books to read and others on her iPad in case she ran out. They would eat out, no cooking for two weeks; visit friends; and possibly even take some classes if interesting ones were being offered. Ken had thought they were going to the cabin where the guys and sometimes the women went fishing on Green Lake. She'd wanted to surprise him again, but this trip was not to be—at least not right now. She would call and cancel the reservations. Tears flowed again.

She wiped them away. “Tears are an absolute waste of time and energy.”

When she didn't hear any kitchen noises, she headed up the stairs to return the last phone call. While dialing the number on the landline, the only phone set up for business, she reminded herself to smile. The first rule of business calls—smile, even if you didn't feel like it. A smile made a big difference in telephone communications; she'd learned that lesson well. And taught it to others.

When the woman answered the phone, they exchanged pleasantries, realizing they had met some time ago at a Rotary meeting and Mona had shared her business card, another of those rules she had taken to habit.

“I see congratulations are in order, according to the spread in the paper.”

“Really? We've not even had time today to read the paper. Thanks for letting me know.”

“You'll be impressed. They did a splendid job.”

“Glad to hear that. Now, how can I help you?” Mona listened to the woman with one ear and for the kids with the other. She'd not had to do that for many years—well, not really, because when Marit's brood came, she got a chance to practice. But when they were here, she was not trying to run a business at the same time.

“We're starting a nursery/preschool at our church, and we are hoping we can hire you to help us with the publicity and to plan a grand opening. So, I would like to meet with you privately first; then if you will draw up a proposal, we will take the next step.”

“What kind of a budget do you have for this stage of your dream?”

“I assure you, this is more than a dream. Another committee is working with an architect so we can make sure to meet the codes, not as a new facility but as a remodel.”

This was catching her attention. “And you plan to open after the first of the year?”