Thirty Happens (18 page)

I got his name and where he lived, and continued walking, still clutching flags I hadn’t placed yet.

I saw a woman with her hand on a stone, talking to the ground.

“Excuse me, ma’am?”

She looked up with an expectant look on her face.

I introduced myself, explained why I was there and she smiled kindly.

“We lost my Uncle a long time ago. I was only eight, but I remember him. He was a fun guy, loved to joke around. He would always say that he was ‘pulling your leg’. I was such a literal kid that I would actually cross my legs when I sat at the dining room table if he was there so that he couldn’t pull them.”

She laughed at the memory, enjoying her quick mental visit to the past.

“My Aunt, well, she just passed this year. It was a hard loss for all of us. She was ninety one years old, and more like a grandmother to me than a great-aunt. She was like a mom to
my
mom. He was the love of her life. She never even considered dating again, let alone remarrying. This woman had a heart of gold. She’d been at a nursing home the last six years, but at her funeral, it was standing room only. She had been an aunt to her church for decades. I wanted to be able to see them together again, even if only in stone.”

Okay, that got me a little choked up. Or maybe it was just the emotion of the day getting built up.

“You mentioned that she’d been in a nursing home. Which one?”

She smiled again.

“The Bourne Nursing and Rehab place in Buzzards Bay.”

“Oh, my mom is there. She was in a bad car accident and is there for rehab.”

She leaned over and impulsively gave me a hug.

“I’m so sorry to hear about your mom’s accident. I’m sure that has been very hard on you. But don’t worry, she is in great hands. The nurses there are absolutely wonderful. I can’t even begin to say enough great things about them.”

I got her information and moved on.

I took several pictures of the grounds, some sections were already full of flags, which were gently waving in the wind in an iconic pose. As if the flags and Mother Nature had somehow gotten together at that moment to give me a perfect picture of Americana.

I turned and my jaw dropped at what I saw.

This older woman, tiny bit of a thing, seemed to be herding a group of older men in wheelchairs and walkers around the site. She was wearing a very bright outfit. I wasn’t sure if what she wore clashed with itself, or if it was a brilliant compilation of colors and patterns.

I had to meet this lady.

Once all the men she was corralling had dissipated to the graves, I walked up to her.

“Excuse me.”

She turned to look at me, her squinted eyes making me step back a little while she took me in.

“Young lady, why are you still holding those flags? There are people here to place them on graves, not hold them like they are waving them at a parade.”

Yikes. The accent was not what was expected. It was all nasally and like some weird hybrid of Boston and New York.

Must be from Rhode Island.

“I know, I’m sorry. My name is Karyn. I’m here on assignment from the Onset Live to find out more about this beautiful event.”

Her look softened a bit.

“Ha, you work with old Billy boy. How’s he treating you?”

I smiled. Seriously, this old broad was short. I mean, I was five four, she came to my nose.

“Actually, I’ve just been somewhat forced back to the area, so I’m kind of groveling for work right now. This is my test.”

“What area?”

“My mom lives in Wareham, so I guess I’ll be making a home base there for a while. I just have to get my feet back under me.”

“Who is your mom?”

Okay, this chick seemed to be interviewing me right now, which I thought was kind of funny. I’d humor her, I mean, she was clearly elderly. Maybe she was losing her mind a bit.

“My mom is Kimberly Jensen.”

She wrapped me in a hug that was much stronger than she looked. As a matter of fact, when she squeezed me an involuntary cough was squeezed out. Damn. The old lady had muscles.

“You poor thing, you must have been scared out of your wits when she got into that horrible accident.”

“You know my mom?”

“Of course, I do.”

I waited, expecting a little more than that. She just looked at me.

“I’m sorry, have we met before?”

“No, dear. I moved to the area about five years ago. I live in Onset, but ran into your mom a few times over the years and we would stop and chat. Lovely woman. I volunteer at the rehab center and have seen her there a few times.”

“What’s your name?”

“You can call me Nonna.”

“Nonna, as in, Italian for grandmother?”

“Yup, that’s it.”

“So, may I ask why you’re here? You know, for the article.”

She brightened up as she looked to the men who were still placing flags.

“Well, like I said, I volunteer at the rehab center, and sometimes I go and visit the old folks in the home. Everyone there had a life before they moved in, and most of the men served. I asked if I could bring those that were physically able to have an excursion and got the approval. I drive the handi-van so that these brave soldiers can come pay their respects.”

She looked like a proud momma.

“Aren’t they all adorable in their Sunday best? Of course, they are all way too old for my liking, but a girl can look, can’t she?”

She nudged me with her elbow, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

She was very possibly as old as if not older than the gentlemen that she drove here. Part of me was concerned with her driving at her age, whatever that age was. But, the more I watched her, the more I realized that she was just fine.

“Do you mind me adding you to the story?”

She cackled with laughter.

“Mind? Hell, I would expect nothing less.”

I think I loved this woman. Maybe she would adopt me as a grandmother.

“Listen, I own this cute little cottage in Onset, you should come visit sometime. I would love for you to sample some proper Italian baking.”

“Uh, I would
love
that. But, where in Onset?”

She grinned and gave me her address and basic directions. It seemed she was within walking distance of the newspaper, which would be awesome if I got the job. Mmmm, I would have a coffee shop and free Italian baked goods within walking distance. Suddenly this seemed more Heaven than personal hell.

“Well, I need to let you go, Karyn. Walter is starting to get combative with Henry, again. They are stuck in a constant battle of who was in the better branch of the service. And George is looking a little droopy in his chair, must be naptime. I think I’d better round them up and head back out. Thanks for the chat.”

With that, she went over to the site and started barking orders that made the old soldiers stand a little taller. I could almost see them as they were sixty years ago.

The odd little group moved towards the front entrance and I just shook my head.

That woman was like a tornado of energy.

Seriously, would she adopt me?

chapter twenty-four.

“
S
weetie, isn’t it about time for you to go back to work?”

I knew this day was coming.

It had been about seven weeks.

Mom was doing great, but was still living in the rehab center as she was working on getting up her endurance for walking more than thirty feet. She needed to be able to live on her own when she was released to her own care. I had a feeling that day was coming very soon.

“Um, actually, I already have.”

“How have you returned to work? You’ve been here every day. You are
not
commuting back and forth to Boston are you?”

Her voice raised with each word, the warmth of her concern wrapping around me like a hug.

I’d forgotten what it was like to have someone actively concerned about your wellbeing.

Sigh.

This was going to go over like a fart in church.

“No, I actually have decided to relocate here. I’ve been working part time for now at the Onset Live.”

I was still on a
very
probationary situation with the Live. Bill was not convinced that I was going to be happy there long term. Oh, he seemed to love the articles I was churning out. So far I’d been on the front cover every week. Then again, I was one of two reporters, the other of which was full-time, so, I’m not sure that was saying all that much.

“You WHAT?”

Mom started to push herself forward as if she was going to come over here and shake some sense into me.

I put my hand up to stop her.

“Mom, it was my decision.”

“But, it’s not too late. You can see for yourself that I’m doing fine. Please, you should go back. It can’t be too late. That was your dream.”

“Mom.”

One single word. It was said quietly because it hurt to say it. With one word I begged her to stop. With that word, I admitted that it was hard on me to have walked away.

I walked over to her and sat on the edge of her bed.

Tears welled up in both of our eyes as we hugged each other.

A mother’s hug was possibly the most comforting thing in the world.

I sniffed, wiping at my eyes with the back of my hand before pulling away.

“The decision is made. I got my moment in the sun and it was amazing. Now, I’m on the slower track to fame and fortune.”

I forced a quick bark of laughter.

“You’re going to be stuck with me for a little bit while I figure out finances. Part time work doesn’t pay much so I’ll be living with you for the time being. If I can’t get this job to go full time, I’ll have to take a second job, which is fine. I’m sure the job market is absolutely booming here.”

I couldn’t help but let the sarcasm creep into my voice.

This was a summer area. Tons of miles of beach and coastline in Buzzards Bay, Onset and Wareham.

Growing up here, you got used to the fact that between October and April, more than half of the businesses shut down.

“Actually, you might be surprised, Karyn. The area has really exploded since you’ve been away.”

“Really.”

Since I’d been back, I’d worked, slept, kept the house clean and been here. I’d not gone out for dinner, there was no one to go out with.

I hadn’t even found that strange older lady and gone to her house for baked goods. Mental note, find her. Hunt her down. Eat pastries.

“Have you seen the big shopping center downtown?”

I had to think a moment.

I remember I saw a sign for a home improvement chain but hadn’t had a chance to go there yet.

“Um, I think I’ve driven by it.”

She shook her head at me, smiling sadly.

“If it really is your choice to be here, then you should maybe actually
be
here. If you treat it like a detour from what you really wanted, you’ll never be happy. And I’m worried you’ll end up resenting me.”

Her voice got quiet in the end there.

I shook my head ‘no’ vehemently.

“Mom, if there’s one thing I know, it’s that I would never be able to resent you. I made the right choice. There actually was no ‘choice’. I knew what was right and I did it. End of story. I will take some time and explore tomorrow, I promise.”

Tomorrow was Saturday, a good enough day to explore. Maybe I could pitch an idea to Bill, like, a recurring series about returning home and re-exploring your roots. I had already seen in the little bit that I’d paid attention that so many things were missing from where they used to be. Like the little restaurant on 28 where we used to meet my grandparents all the time. My grandma would cut the bellies off my fried clams because they made me gag and I could not eat them. Mom would give her such crap for that, especially when I was fourteen and still passed the plate over to her before I would even touch it.

“She’s fourteen, for Christ’s sake, mom. She can do it herself.
”

Gram would just roll her eyes and continue separating the offending part of the clams and disposing of them for me. I liked having memories like that and had to admit being sad to see that restaurant was a barbecue joint now that apparently had karaoke every Friday night.

“Anyway, I have to bounce. I’m supposed to meet up at the office in about an hour.”

I leaned over again and gave her a hug. Her arms squeezed around me with as much strength as she could, which was a decent amount considering she’d almost been dead.

I breathed in her scent, feeling the warmth of coming home. Fear rising in my throat again when I remembered how close I’d come to losing it all.

“I love you, baby girl.”

“Love you, too, mom.”

I waved from the door and quickly walked to the elevator.

“Hold the door please.”

Ugh, I really wanted to not be with anyone right now. I looked down at the panel, having that moment of panic when I wasn’t really sure which button held the doors open. They started to close so I just stuck my hand out and stopped their progression as I was joined in the elevator by a tall man.

Suddenly, the small space of the elevator was enveloped in the smell of man.

Very.

Sexy.

Man.

Whatever cologne he was wearing, I wanted to buy it by the truckload and make sure that I had that on my sheets when I slept. That would guarantee some
very
good dreams.

I shook my head.

Wow, that was kind of a weird instant reaction to someone I hadn’t even met yet.

I felt a blush on my cheeks creeping down my neck.

I snuck a glance at him and was surprised by the silver at his temples. Hmmmm, older guy.

I thought for a second. Did I care that he was older?

He was standing a little bit in front of me so I openly checked out the view of the back. I could probably bounce quarters off his ass.

Nope, didn’t matter one bit that he was older.

A quick check of the left hand showed that not only was he not married, he was not pretending to not be married. No ring, no tan line.

Fair game.

“Hi.”

Ugh.

That was the best I could do? ‘Hi’?

He looked up, and around like he was trying to figure out where the voice came from.

He turned and faced me and it was like a jolt went through me.

Hot damn.

I wanted to lick him.

He raised an eyebrow as he looked at me, probably trying to figure out if he knew me. It was not too common to randomly speak to people.

“Uh, hi?”

I cringed. Well, made my bed, time to lie in it.

“So, do you come here often?”

“You didn’t just ask me that.”

I smiled my best smile.

“Seemed as good a line as any.”

He looked a little confused.

“Line?”

“Yeah, as in a pick up line.”

He started laughing at me.

“You are trying to use a pick up line on me in a nursing home elevator.”

“Actually, in a nursing home and rehabilitation facility. And yes. I’d like to take you out for coffee.”

With the timing of a heart attack, the doors of the elevator opened and he nearly sprinted out.

Shit.

I didn’t get his name.

“Karyn, my name is Karyn,” I shouted after his retreating frame.

He turned and smiled at me and I almost passed the hell out.

“Chris.”

I was going to marry that man.

***

“Hey, Bill, you wanted to see me?”

He heaved out a world-weary sigh.

“Karyn, how many times do I have to tell you, my name is Will.”

I grinned at him.

“Nonna called you ‘Billy boy’. It could be worse.”

“I would kill you.”

“Hey, you’re supposed to report the news, not
be
the news. Although, that would be totally front page worthy. But I wouldn’t be here to write it, so what good would that be? So, don’t kill me. Totes not worth it.”

He just shook his head at me.

“Anyway, I wanted to discuss your continued employment with the Live.”

I straightened in my seat, suddenly nervous.

Why the hell was I nervous? He was getting a seasoned professional from Boston at his tiny paper. Well, lightly seasoned.

Regardless, I was good at this. But what if I wasn’t. What if I was good at the hard stuff, but writing about the comings and goings in a small town was not my forte and he could tell?

I was nervous because what he was about to say was going to dictate my near future. And it would also let me know if I was going to be able to afford things like a cup of coffee and a slice of bread.

Perhaps a bit melodramatic on that one. My bad.

“Okay, discuss away,
Will
.”

Not the time to be sarcastic, Karyn. I chastised myself in my head.

“Well, you’ve been here about two months, now, and have contributed a total of thirty two articles in that time. I know that our original agreement was sort of a per diem type deal, but I have an opening as of this morning, and wanted to know if you would be interested.”

“I would be
very
interested. What’s the opening?”

“Maria has let me know that she’ll be taking her maternity leave a little earlier than expected and that she is not going to be returning afterward. As she put it, this doesn’t pay enough to cover daycare, and she’s not going to town meetings with a screaming infant strapped to her body. So, we now have the Lead Reporter position open. It is a full-time job, with benefits.”

I nodded along, thrilled for the opportunity, but nervous to hear the all-important part.

“Okay, that sounds good.”

“Um, it doesn’t pay great, Karyn. And I’m sorry for that. But it’s pretty flexible. And there’s two weeks’ vacation.”

“Alright, well, what’s the pay?”

I braced myself, expecting to have a near heart attack at the lowball amount he was going to give me.

“Thirty seven thousand a year.”

You had to be kidding me. That was actually only two thousand less a year than I was making in Boston. I had really expected a much deeper pay cut.

“Are you sure?”

“I know, it’s not much to live off of, and I’m sorry for that. But we are only a free paper, so I can’t offer you more than what is budgeted for the position. I realize it doesn’t compete much with what you were making in the big city.”

He looked nervous.

I thought that perhaps I should toy with him a bit, make him squirm. But I decided against it and put him out of his misery.

“I’ll take it.”

He exhaled in relief and handed me a folder with the usual employment forms, and a beat up copy of an employee handbook.

“Please fill all that out and bring it back tomorrow with two forms of identification. We’ll hash out the details as far as how you’ll get your assignments and everything tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Will, I won’t let you down.”

He smiled.

“I know you won’t, that’s why you’re holding that folder.”

I walked out into the warm sunlight, beyond grateful for the ocean breeze that helped reduce the humidity in the summer air.

I think this called for a celebratory fancy coffee.

I walked next door and stood behind about ten people in line for a cup of joe.

“Karyn? Karyn Jensen?”

I turned towards a somewhat familiar voice to see red hair and a big smile bouncing towards me.

“Ohmigod, I
thought
that was you. How long are you in town for?”