Her Mother's Daughter (6 page)

Tansy jumped up from the table. “I'm sorry.” She ran out the door and through the back garden. By the time Bay, Gertie, and Ashley got to the porch, Tansy was running through the farmer's field, her hair falling down around her shoulders.

“What's wrong with her, Mom?”

Bay didn't answer as she watched her little sister fade from view.

It was Gertie who pulled Ashley away from the screen. “Let them be. They both need a little time.”

“Time for what? It seems to me they've spent enough time apart.”

“How about you show me your prom dress? Your mother says it's lovely.”

“It is. I'll show you.”

When Gertie and Ashley disappeared upstairs, Bay went out to the garden swing. She kept her eyes focused on the trees at the other end of the field. She knew where her sister had gone. The remnant of their old fort was still there, even after all these years. Tansy used to hide from everyone when something bad happened to her, and their mother would send Bay to fetch her.

What was she doing here? Why now?

Bay sat on the swing a while longer before she sighed and went in the house. She called the other two down for supper and put Tansy's plate in the microwave. Gertie opened the fridge to get some milk and whispered to Bay out of Ashley's earshot, “Are you okay? Do you need smelling salts?”

“I'll live.”

“What the hell is she doing here?”

Bay shrugged.

As they ate their supper Ashley couldn't stop talking. “She's beautiful. Why didn't you tell me how beautiful she was?”

Gertie slathered butter on her cornbread. “She wasn't that gorgeous when she left. Did you see her toes? And her fingernails? And that skin. She's definitely been pampered.”

“She's obviously rich,” Ashley said. “Maybe I'll get an expensive graduation gift.”

Bay pushed the food around her plate. “Don't count on it. She's always been tight with her money.”

“Maybe that's why she's got some.” Gertie popped another piece of cornbread in her mouth.

Ashley shoved her plate away. “You don't like her, do you, Mom?”

“Don't be silly.”

“Well, look at your face. That tells me everything.”

Bay placed her fork on the plate, put her elbows on the table, and leaned towards her daughter. “I know you're young, Ashley, but even at your age you must realize that life is rather complicated. If you must know, I'm in shock more than anything else. My sister has stayed away from me for almost fifteen years, and suddenly she pops out of nowhere. No explanations, no excuses, just waltzes in the door and says ‘I'm back.' Where's she been? Why didn't she come home to comfort us when Nana died? I could've used some help a year ago. But she didn't bother, so yes, I am a little annoyed with her at the moment, but it doesn't mean I don't love her. She's my sister and she'll always be my sister, good or bad, happy or sad. Okay?”

Ashley blinked. “Okay.”

“Well, I for one am ready for dessert,” Gertie announced to no one in particular.

Neither Bay nor Ashley said anything, so Gertie looked down at the rug by the back door. “How about you, Merlin? Would you like an ice cream cone?”

Merlin woofed that yes, he'd love one, so Gertie got up and put everyone's dishes in the sink. She took out a carton of ice cream and served Merlin first. He had a great time licking maple walnut out of his dish.

“Last chance, girls.” Gertie plopped two scoops on her cone.

“No, thank you,” Bay and Ashley said in unison.

Gertie put the ice cream away and came back to the table. “I hate eating alone.”

“You eat alone every night,” Ashley said.

“No, I don't. Jeffrey is great company.”

Ashley smiled. “How come you never married, Gertie?”

“Look at me. Who'd have me?”

Bay was annoyed. “Stop putting yourself down all the time. You're the nicest woman I know.”

“I may be the nicest, but I'm also the fattest and fat ain't sexy.”

Ashley clapped her hands. “Wait a minute. There's a website for fat people. Some guys get off on it, apparently.”

Gertie put down her ice cream. “No one who lives around here. Do tell, o wise child.”

“They have conventions and everything.”

“Conventions for what?” Bay frowned.

“All these fat people get together and dance and stuff.”

Gertie sucked on her ice cream. “What's the name of this web-site?”

“‘Fat R Us', I think, or maybe ‘FatSoWhat'?”

“I think she's onto something, Bay.”

“But they only have conventions in Las Vegas and places like that,” said the young know-it-all.

“I've got Air Miles. What the hell else am I going to use them for?”

The three of them looked at each other and giggled. Then they laughed out loud because it was ridiculous.

That's when Tansy opened the screen door and smiled. “What's so funny?”

It was easier after that.

Gertie and Ashley talked about nothing and everything, so Bay and Tansy were able to be together without having to confront each other. They both knew there would be lots of time for conversation when they were alone.

But it was Gertie who brought up the one thing Bay wanted to know.

“How long are you here for, Tansy?”

The silence was deafening. Even Merlin stopped licking himself.

“That depends on Bay.”

Bay furrowed her brow. “It does?”

“I may be a lot of things, but I'm not a freeloader. I'm between engagements, shall we say, and I thought I could use a rest before I start on my next venture. It seemed to be the perfect opportunity to come and stay for a while, if you'll have me.”

“Of course we'll have you!” Ashley cried. “This is so exciting. That means you'll be able to meet Matt and come to my prom and everything. Isn't this great, Mom?”

“Great.” It sounded a little half-hearted, so Bay added, “You know you're welcome here anytime.”

“I'll pay my own way. I don't want you out of pocket.”

“What exactly is your next venture?” Gertie asked. “It sounds intriguing.”

“I haven't narrowed it down yet. I'm too burnt out from the last project.”

“Which was?” Ashley wanted to know.

“A mistake.”

With that pronouncement, Tansy gave a great yawn and stretched her slender arms over her head. “Would it be possible to have a bubble bath? I'm fading as we speak.”

While Tansy was in the tub, Gertie went out with Bay as she watered the garden.

“You must have nearly died when she walked in,” Gertie said.

“You could say that. I honestly thought I'd never see her again.”

“Did she…you know…say why she never came home for your mom's funeral?”

“She told Ashley she was too far away. Hello? What kind of an answer is that?”

“Obviously she's not going to say anything in front of Ashley, but it will be interesting to hear her excuse. I wonder why she stayed away so long.”

Bay didn't answer.

Ashley was upstairs in her room looking at her prom dress when Matt arrived.

“Anyone home?”

Ashley ran down the stairs and into his arms. She kissed him.

“I missed you.”

“I missed you more.”

“I love it when you say that.”

“I can't stay long. I have to go to—”

“Never mind that, you're not going to believe it. My aunt showed up tonight.”

“I was going to ask who owned the awesome car out there.”

“She's beautiful. Wait till you meet her.”

“She's not as beautiful as you are.” He kissed her and they were still kissing when Tansy came down the stairs in her robe. Matt opened his eyes and gave a start. He pulled away from Ashley. “Sorry, we didn't see you.”

“This is Matt, Aunt Tansy—”

“Please, call me Tansy.” She walked down the last few steps and held out her hand to shake Matt's.

“It's nice to meet you, Matt. I can see why you like him, Ashley. He's very good looking.”

Matt nodded and shook her hand, blushing profusely.

Ashley put her arms around his waist. “I know. And he's mine.”

Matt pulled away as gently as he could. “Uh, I've got to go.”

“Do you have to?”

“Yeah, Mom's waiting in the car. What colour is your dress? I have to order my tie and cummerbund.”

“Am I supposed to tell you? Isn't that a secret?”

Tansy laughed. “You're not getting married.”

“Okay, it's pink.”

“That's all I needed. I'll call you later.” Matt hurried out.

“Isn't he the sweetest?”

Tansy nodded. “Why don't you show me your dress?”

“Okay.”

They went up the stairs and into Ashley's room. She took a garment bag out her closet and unzipped it, pulling the dress out into plain view. “What do you think?”

Tansy looked at the simple pink dress. “It's lovely. Where did you buy it?”

“Mom made it.”

“Did she? She's very talented.”

“She is. She can do anything. She hooked that rug you're standing on, and she made the quilt on my bed.”

“Imagine. Is everything you have homemade?”

“Well…sort of. We don't have tons of money.”

Tansy sat on the bed. “Does that bother you?”

Ashley quickly put her dress away. “Sometimes.”

“Do you feel selfish for wanting more?”

Ashley walked over and sat at her desk. “Sort of.”

“You should always want more.” Tansy went to the window and peeked through the curtains. “This used to be my room and I always dreamed of having more.”

“Really?”

“I didn't want to be stuck in a small town. I couldn't breathe.”

“I can't leave Mom. I'm all she has.”

“Aren't you going away to university?”

“I'm going here.”

“Oh.”

“I wouldn't mind going away, but we can't afford it.”

Tansy came back to the bed and sat down. “Tell me about your young man.”

Ashley's face immediately lit up. “He's wonderful.”

“You're obviously in love.”

She nodded. “But Mom and his mom think it's puppy love or something.”

“That's what mothers are supposed to say. But I don't think your mother has any reason to talk. She was nineteen when she married your father.”

“So you remember him?”

“Of course.”

“What was he like?”

Tansy rubbed the quilt on Ashley's bed. “He was quite something. Your mother was a lucky woman.”

“It's not fair that he died.”

“No.”

Before Ashley could say anything else, Tansy said, “I should put some clothes on. Excuse me.” And with that she left the room.