03 The Long Road Home Read Free

kitchen counters had been re-done.  Crisp new curtains hung at the window that overlooked the garden, and a row of shiny copper pans gleamed against the wall.  From beyond the kitchen came the sound of voices in the restaurant mixed with the clink of dishes being rinsed in the work area beyond the kitchen.  She had missed it all.
    Margaret looked at Aunt Jan, immediately noticing the new lines that creased her forehead, the tired look in her eyes.  Rake thin, immaculately turned out, it was hard for strangers to imagine Janet Hooper's passion for cooking and work.  "How are you Aunt Jan?"
    "Never better," her aunt said briskly.  "Sit down, and I'll pour you a cup of coffee.  Did you find Timmy?" 
    "Yes.  He's got a new job at the truck stop." 
    The note in her voice made Aunt Jan pause, coffee pot in hand.  "He's had that a month now."
    "Timmy never mentioned it to me."  The new chasm between herself and Timmy scared Margaret. 
    "Matt is a good role model for Timmy," Aunt Jan said. 
    "How are things in the restaurant?"  Margaret asked quickly, in an effort to change the subject.  She didn't want to talk about Matthew Magnum just yet.
    "We're busy, but I wish we had more help.  I told you about Gina who works the cash register.  Her baby is due in two weeks.  I haven't found anyone to replace her yet, and I have one more vacancy to fill.  The employment agency in Garrison has promised to keep a lookout for suitable help, but apparently working in a restaurant in Inchwater isn't everyone's ideal job."
    The door from the restaurant into the kitchen opened, and a girl in an advanced state of pregnancy, entered the kitchen.  Seeing Margaret, she paused.
    “Hi Gina.  I’m Margaret.”
    Gina looked no more than a kid herself thought Margaret as the girl smiled.
    “Hi Margaret.  Welcome home.”
    "Gina, come in and join us for a cup of coffee," said Aunt Jan.
    "I don't want to interrupt," Gina Wade said shyly.  "I just wanted to thank you for that Shepherd's Pie you gave me yesterday, Janet.  Jack loved it."
    Some things never changed.  Margaret and Timmy had a private theory that Aunt Jan gave away half the food she cooked. 
    "I've made some spaghetti sauce for you to take home tonight," Janet said.  "Freeze it... it'll come in handy after the baby's here.  Now, sit down before your break is over."
    "Your aunt never stops talking about you," said Gina, sliding her bulk into a chair.  "She's told me all about the work you do with physically handicapped children in Washington." 
    Margaret nodded.  "I love my job.  I only wish it was closer to home."
    "The Edward Institute is making a name for itself, slowly but surely," Aunt Jan said with pride. 
    "Who runs it?" asked Gina.
    "Dr. Aaron Edwards," said Margaret.  "An article he read about children with birth defects who had been abandoned by their parents affected him deeply, and he gave up a successful practice to start the Institute.  His aim was to take in as many children as he could and care for them.  After a while he discovered some of the children benefitted by being read to, and taught.  He hired teachers who would give them individual attention.  I was teaching in San Francisco when I heard about his work, and wrote to him.  Luckily for me, he hired me."
    "Teaching handicapped children must need a great deal of patience," Gina said, awe in her gaze, as she looked at Margaret over the rim of her coffee mug.
    "I love my work," said Margaret.
    "The secret of happiness is enjoying the work you do," Aunt Jan added.  "It’s a shame people pick careers for the money they'll make at it, instead of doing what they really want to."
    "Are you feeling all right?"  Margaret asked, noticing the sudden grimace on Gina's face. 
    "I'm fine.  My back is just kind of sore."  Gina finished her coffee and stood up, rubbing her back as she carried her mug to the sink.  "Got to get back to work.  It was nice meeting you Margaret."
    As Gina left,