Secondhand Stiff Read Free

homemade cranberry sauce seasoned with orange peel.
    Clark put down his fork and turned to me. “I was going to talk to you and Greg about that after we got home tonight.” He glanced over at Greg, who had lowered his fork and was listening—waiting, no doubt, to see if I would start slinging yams. “I got a call earlier today from work,” Clark continued. “I have to fly out first thing in the morning directly to a job and won’t be back in time to escort Mom home on Monday.” His head swung between me and Greg as if on a loose hinge. “I was hoping you two would let her stay until I come back. I don’t think it’s a good idea for her to travel alone. Do you?”
    There it was: the real choice. We could let Mom stay until Clark finished his job or I could fly back with Mom, get her settled in her retirement home, and then fly home myself. Hmm, fly the unfriendly skies after Thanksgiving, the busiest time to hit the air, or have Mom stay a few days longer. For most, it would be an easy choice; for me, it was a tough call.
    I looked to my husband, trying to pick up on his vibes. Mom and Clark had already been here for two days, and while Clark was great to have around, Mom’s constant presence and negativity had been trying, even for Greg. Even our animals stayed out of her way most of the time. But what could we say? No! Heave her interfering , selfish ass out on the tarmac and let her take her chances. I’d be tempted to say that if we’d been alone, but around a Thanksgiving table with my delightful in-laws, I was compelled to behave.
    In silence, I counted my blessings. I had Greg and his family. I’d found my mother and my brother. We were all healthy and relatively happy. What would a few more days matter? I would have preferred not to have been blind-sided over a holiday meal.
    â€œMaybe Clark will be back before the auction,” I said, trying to keep hope out of my voice. I looked to Ina. “When is it again?”
    Ina seemed oblivious to the tension her invitation had caused. “Monday morning in Long Beach.”
    I turned back to Clark. “Will you be back before then? I’d hate to have Mom all excited for the trip, then you come in and swoop her away.”
    Clark wiped his mouth with a creamy linen napkin edged with lace. They were Renee’s special linens, used for all holidays except Christmas. For that meal the tablecloth and napkins would be embroidered with poinsettias. “Tell you what, sis. Even if my job is done, why don’t we plan on Mom staying with you and Greg through next week. That way you can plan other outings without worrying about all that swooping .” His face and voice were blank, but his eyes looked at me with mischief. I was tempted to stomp on his foot under the table.
    â€œMaybe Mom doesn’t want to be away from home that long. Did you ask her?”
    Clark turned to Mom. “What about it, Mom? Instead of a few days, would you like to stay a little longer here in sunny California with Odelia and Greg?”
    Without hesitation, Mom responded, “According to the news, it was twenty-seven degrees in New Hampshire this morning. What do you think?”
    Everyone at the table turned to me. I caught my father-in-law trying to suppress a grin. Not wanting to display the panic bubbling up in side of me, I shrugged instead. “It’s okay by me,” I said with a forced smile. “Although I’m not sure how much time I can get off work next week.”
    â€œI’ll be fine on my own at your house,” Mom assured me. “I can walk down to the beach. Can’t do that in November back home, not that I’m even near the beach.”
    â€œRenee and I can take her out sightseeing a day or two,” Ron added. “So don’t you worry a bit about Grace.”
    I looked to Greg, hoping he’d find some excuse and take the pressure off me. “What about you,