They were still a block from school, so Vanessa pulled to the curb, stopped, and turned to look her in the eye. “My mother is our legal advisor, the one who took care of all those forms and regulations that made it possible for Gram to open her home to you. I had to touch base with her, Barb, for your sake and for everyone else’s.
“Gram, herself, would have to report this if she knew. Since I’m trying to take care of things while she’s in the hospital, it was necessary to find out what must be done in order to stay within the law.”
When Jana also started yelling about not keeping confidences, Vanessa stated firmly, “Listen, you two! We could be closed down if we don’t obey the law. Then where would you be?
“Each one of you is more important to us than just keeping Gram’s home open, but you saw a certain car, Barb, which could mean someone’s looking for you, has perhaps found you. Should that be the case, the law is the only protection you have against what he could do.”
“I can run away….”
“Where could you go where you’d be absolutely certain he can’t find you?”
She almost mentioned that she and others could be hit with huge fines and lose the opportunity to continue doing for others what had been so recently begun, but that would seem of little importance to either girl right now. Instead, she tried to impress upon them the necessity of acting as normal as possible and staying together during lunch and after school.
She pulled up at the entrance nearest the cafeteria and pointed to the front corner of the parking area. “If at all possible, I’ll be over there by the time school’s out,” she said. “If I’m not, wait inside these doors for another five minutes. If I still haven’t come, walk back to Gram’s—with others, if possible—and along the main streets.”
They solemnly assured her they would do so, but as they left the car Vanessa added one more thing. “If you must walk home, go directly there.” I’m not sure that’s strong enough. “If you aren’t home in a reasonable amount of time, we’ll have to notify the authorities about two missing persons—which could become particularly sticky since we haven’t told them what’s going on.”
Cars behind hers kept her from staying until the girls were inside, but she did check her rearview mirror as she slowly moved forward….
She tried to tell herself that this day was no worse than usual, but didn’t believe it. Trouble with one packaging line right at the beginning of the shift kept that crew out of operation several hours.
A man in Shipping fell and hurt his back. The nurse didn’t think his injuries serious, but recommended that for his own and the company’s sake he should be taken to the hospital for X rays and evaluation.
It was then she learned that one huge carton of a large order of new-games-for-Christmas CDROMs had not arrived at a major wholesaler’s, and their purchasing agent was threatening to cancel the entire order if this portion wasn’t received by the following day. She finally got him to agree to giving them two days, but finding what went wrong and getting that taken care of took far too much of her time and attention.
She was out of her office more than usual, leaving Suzan Gibson, her secretary, to handle problems with her usual calm efficiency. Except for a granola bar and coffee, Vanessa had eaten nothing since a small breakfast, but was at her desk finishing a report that had to get out today when Suz came in. “You need an apple break, boss-lady.”
Leaning back in her chair, Vanessa reached for the shiny Red Delicious apple that Suz offered to her. “Ummm, it looks wonderful.” Shifting position and stretching, she glanced at the dainty ormolu clock Gram gave her when she first assumed the position. “Oh, no! It’s nearly four!”
“What’s that about time flying when you’re having fun?”
She ignored that remark as she struck her forehead lightly with the palm of her hand. “I intended to pick up the kids at school.”
Suz was shaking her head as she started for the outer office. “In case you hadn’t noticed, Vanessa, they’re in high school now. How ’bout giving that mother-hen complex a rest? Haven’t they walked home most days?”
She tried to smile, to come up with anything but her real reason for fretting, but blurted out, “It’s impossible for me to take Gram’s place in their lives!”
“Be yourself, Van.” Suz turned back to face her. “They don’t need cookie cutter adults around them, they need authentic, honest-to-goodness real people who care.”
“I’ll try to keep reminding myself of that.” Will they believe I care? she wondered. If only I’d paid attention to the time and got to the school when I said I would—but then I’d have had to come back later.
She reached for the phone as Suz closed the door after herself. Gin answered, saying that Jana and Barb were at the kitchen table doing homework. “Tell them I got held up here, but hope to be home by five-thirty.”
“Okay—and I understand it’s that dear Betty Jefferson preparing today’s meal. Maybe you’ll be here when she comes.”
“I’ll try to be.” It occurred to her that thus far the food had been provided by people she would least have expected. I consider myself a good judge of character, but these folks from First Church are amazing….
Little Teddy Jefferson came running across the yard as Rob’s car stopped in the driveway. “I been waitin’ and waitin’ for you to come.”
Rob got out and stooped to pick up the child, toss him in the air, then catch and set him on his shoulder. “I’ve been waiting for that, too, my young friend. Let’s go inside and see what your mama and sister and baby brother are doing.”
“Yeah!” He bounced a little more than was warranted by Rob’s long strides. “Mama’s been bakin’ and cookin’ all day long, and I’ve been a’ helpin’.”
Rob grinned, surmising that cooking help from a four-year-old would not make work easier.
Betty held the door open for them while, with her free arm, she scooped up the two-year-old trying to get outside. “This isn’t too much of an inconvenience, is it?”
“I’m not the best cook in the world, Betty, but I do drive. This way we pool our strengths.”
She smiled up at him, probably not realizing he’d provided the first meal. “I love cooking, and it’s little more time-or energy-consuming to make double of everything. So,” she continued with a sweeping gesture toward countertops covered with food, “our dinner and theirs came out at the same time.”
“Wow! Even pineapple upside-down cake for dessert!”
“It’s Paul’s favorite, and I don’t make it as often as I should. He’ll enjoy some when he gets home tonight.”
It took two trips for Rob to get everything to his car, and he was just starting up the front walk at Gram’s with his first armload when Vanessa pulled up. “You’re getting enough practice as a delivery-man to hang out your shingle,” she greeted, walking toward him as he waited. “If you need a reference, I’m available.”
It’s not as a reference I wish you were available! But he had no right to think such a thing—was almost shocked that he had. “Miz Aggie beat you to it, for she’s the one who told Betty. It’s a lot easier for me to bring this than for her, with her three little ones, especially since the baby has an ear infection.”
She nodded, then glanced back toward the car. “Is there more?”
“Mm-hmmm, but I’ll come back for it.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. All I have to carry is this,” she said, raising her calfskin attaché case a few inches.
“Okay,