Ready or Not (Aggie's Inheritance) (44 page)

Aggie watched her little clan play all the games that she and Tina had played over the years. Freeze Tag, Hide and Seek, Mother May I
--
all the games that punctuate childhood rang out across the grass and through the trees. When the twins grew tired, Laird ran to the van to retrieve a blanket he remembered seeing that morning. While the younger children slept, Aggie played every game she could remember, and even taught them a few that they didn
’
t know. It seemed to her that they were healing. Routines were developing into a new norm for all of them. It was going to be all right.

* * *

Meg Reese watched as William drove away from the church, trying to hide her amusement with his interest in the latest residents of Brant
’
s Corners. As she watched Aggie and her children walk towards the park carrying hot dogs and sodas, Meg saw William
’
s car make a
U-turn
and follow them. She knew it wasn
’
t any of her business, knew she should mind her own, but she ignored her conscience and followed William.

An hour later, Meg
’
s stomach growled, demanding lunch, but William hadn
’
t moved from his spot under a large maple tree. She bought two hot dogs from the nearby stand and loaded one with William
’
s favorite condiments. Taking a deep breath and praying for divine protection from the wrath of Markenson, Meg walked over to William
’
s car and opened the passenger side door, sliding into the passenger
’
s seat.
“
Here, eat.
”

William didn
’
t try to hide his surprise. As much as he disliked them, he took the hot dog and took a large bite.
“
How
’
d you know I was here?
”
He grimaced as the scent of frankfurter and mustard flooded his nostrils.

Meg laughed.
“
I saw you do a
U-turn
and follow them. I thought it was odd, so I followed you.
”

“
And you
’
ve been watching ever since?
”
William
’
s voice was curious, and Meg sagged in relief. She
’
d been certain that he would be furious and lecture her on privacy.

“
I wasn
’
t sure what to make of it. As far as I know, you don
’
t sit around watching pretty ladies and their eight children every day.
”

“
You think she
’
s pretty? So does Mrs. Dyke.
”
Wiping his chin with the napkin she passed him, he added,
“
I don
’
t see it myself.
”
William sounded perplexed.

Meg was thoughtful. William rarely offered an opinion on anything unrelated to work.
“
I don
’
t think she
’
ll ever win any beauty contests, but then again, most women wouldn
’
t. She just has that sweet all-American look about her.
”

William nodded.
“
I can see that. She sure is good with those children. You wouldn
’
t know she didn
’
t have them six months ago.
”

“
I noticed that the other day. Too bad all mothers don
’
t put as much care and effort into their children as she obviously does.
”

William
’
s emphatic
“
amen
”
startled Meg. Before she could question him, William spoke again.
“
You know, Meg, I don
’
t want to be rude, but I came out here to be alone.
”

William
’
s voice was uncharacteristically apologetic. Usually he spoke his mind quite bluntly. Meg smiled and opened the door.
“
I
’
m going. I just had to make sure you were ok. See you in the morning, and don
’
t scare our new citizen. They pay our salaries you know!
”

William watched Meg walk away and was thankful she seemed fine. Irritated p
artners made for miserable work
days. A squeal from the park tore his eyes away from Meg. Something about the children, their innocence, the carefree air that surrounded them like a protective bubble, even their laughter as it reached him, soothed his spirit. Watching Aggie was almost like watching one of the children. She laughed and played as hard as the rest of them.

Later, she sat between the twins as they slept, stroking their hair, and it looked like she was singing to them. Something about the way the breeze flicked at her hair and ruffled her dress created a picture of beautiful young womanhood, and at last, William saw the beauty in her that others had mentioned. He was moved in a way he didn
’
t understand, and it bothered him. What about this woman affected him so strongly? He knew he wasn
’
t physically or emotionally attracted to her
--
or was he?

Aggie says:
You
’
d better be there.

Aggie says:
I mean it, woman. Show thyself.

Tina says:
I
’
m here, I
’
m here. Have a good Sunday?

Aggie says:
The best. Seriously, it was just one of those perfect days where nothing could go wrong if it tried.

Tina says:
You fell in love.

Aggie says:
You
’
re right, I did. How exciting.

Tina says:
Which one is it?

Aggie says:
I can
’
t make up my mind. I think all of them, but tonight, I
’
d have to say Ian. He was just so stinkin
’
cute!

Tina says:
*rolls eyes* You
’
re certifiable, you know that right?

Aggie says:
Yeah, but it
’
s a wonderful life.

Tina says:
I
’
m going to ask something you don
’
t want me to but as your friend, I have to.

Aggie says:
I
’
m not dating and have no intention of starting now.

Tina says:
That
’
s not my question. I want you to be completely honest with me.

Aggie says:
Ok. Why do I feel like I just put a stink bomb in Mr. Haley
’
s class?

Tina says:
Residual guilt. Now listen, and don
’
t reply until I tell you.

Aggie says:
Ok! You
’
re so bossy!

Tina says:
I said no replying.

Tina says:
Now, I
’
m worried about you. You graduated, planned to live in Yorktown, meet a great guy, or at least marry Mark Sakimo…

Aggie says:
Oh, puhleeze!

Tina says:
I
’
ll come and sit on you! Shut up and listen. Instead you graduate, bury your sister, become an overnight mother with a GIL to boot, and then started renovating a house. All your dreams are sitting on a shelf getting very dusty. How are you handling that?

Tina says:
That was a question. You can answer it.

Aggie says:
I don
’
t know how I
’
m handling it. I doubt that I am. I
’
m too busy worrying about diapers, Kenzie
’
s new loose tooth, if I can afford the kitchen I want to put in, and if it
’
s a waste, since I don
’
t know how to cook anyway, if the GIL is going to show up tomorrow and create new havoc, or if I
’
m just tired and paranoid.