Hens and Chickens Read Free Page B

“@MissJanHastings,” she said.
    “ Who is she ?”
    “Miss Jan Hastings is a retired music teacher who loves children and chickens,” Lila answered, excitedly. “She’s got a pet chicken, actually—Matilda. I’ve seen pics. We’ve been following each other on Twitter for a couple of years.”
    “But you don’t really know her?”
    “I know more about Miss Jan Hastings than I do Cora Batterswaith, and I’ve known Cora five years! Miss Hastings is pretty old now—probably late sixties or early seventies. She’s never married, loves donuts and kids, and hates what the banks and corporate America have done to this country. She lives in this really neat town called Sovereign—which is somewhere near Unity or Liberty, Maine. I think there’s a small college nearby.”
    Despite herself, Rebecca was intrigued. “Unity College,” she mused. “It’s called Unity College. I’ve actually been to Unity, believe it or not.”
    “Omigod, no way!”
    “Yes, way . Unity was one of the colleges that Amber considered. There’s an annual organic fair in Unity every fall; I went there with Amber two years ago.” Rebecca looked thoughtful. “I can picture the area in my mind.”
    “S-o-o-o? What’s it like?”
    “Well, there’s a lot of farmland,” Rebecca replied. “I can’t recall Sovereign, but Unity is sort of a one-horse town. Actually, it’s more than a one horse town because the Amish have a settlement in Unity, I remember.”
    “This is TOO good. The Amish? It’s perfect! What’s not to love about moving to the sticks of Maine and raising chickens?”
    “But what about Ryan?” Rebecca asked, anxiously. “What will Ryan say?”
    “Puh-leeze. We’re just friends—we’re not even having sex.”
    Rebecca blushed.
    “Sorry, I forget you’re from another generation,” said Lila. “Hey, if Ryan MacDonald wants to come to Maine to see me, I won’t send him packing. But I’m not staying in Boston just to be near the Perkins & Gleeful corporate attorney!”
    Unconsciously, Rebecca sat up straighter in her chair. “Well, I don’t seem to have any bright ideas myself,” she said, gamely. “I can’t promise you I’ll commit to anything at this point – especially with Amber still in college. But I’m willing to take a look. Let me go home, feed my cat and pack my overnight bag. I’ll pick you up at one o’clock. That way we’ll be able to get to Sovereign before dark.”
    “Becca, this is amazing!” cried Lila, who, although not normally demonstrative, leapt up and gave her friend a quick hug.
    “I’m not promising anything, remember!” Rebecca cautioned, familiar with Lila’s youthful exuberance.
    “I know; I know! We’re just going for a look. You won’t regret it!”
    “I haven’t got much to regret at this point,” replied Rebecca, wryly. She leaned down to pick up her purse. “But I might soon—God help us!” she added, under her breath.
     

Chapter 3
    Rebecca
     
    At 48, Rebecca Johnson had experienced her share of life’s little disappointments. And while the loss of the marketing job with Perkins & Gleeful was certainly a major stumbling block at this point in her life – especially with Amber only a junior in college – it was not one of her top five disappointments. Those would be marrying an abusive (lying, drunken etc. etc.) husband, losing their son Thad in a motorcycle accident, caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s; and, well, why bring them all back?
    Rebecca’s past disappointments flashed briefly before her soft blue eyes while she sat at the Grass Roots Café and listened as Lila outlined a possible new future for the two women. But it had not always been that way. Rebecca was one of the popular girls in high school; not the most popular, true, but popular enough to make everyone believe that she would lead a charmed life. She was a pretty, friendly brunette, and, although short, she had a good figure and a warm, compassionate nature.
    Rebecca was a