Cemetery Silk by E. Joan Sims Page B

there to answer the phone, and I could tell it was killin’ her to have to ask me for somethin’, but she just had to have two pies. Said she would come by after work to pick ‘em up. I gave her a hard time. Said I didn’t know we would have what she wanted, Molly bein’ off with Hector an all. And they was in the refrigerator case all the time, one chocolate and one banana creme. Man, I bet she hated me.”
    Deep laughed with satisfaction as if that were one of her goals in life.
    â€œAnd sure enough, come seven-fifteen here comes the skinny bitch for her goodies. I gave her even more grief, saying maybe Stevie had sold them when I wasn’t looking, but she had caught on by then. Bitch threw a twenty in my face, grabbed her stupid pies, and left. Almost fell gettin’ in the car, too. That would have been a hoot with creme pie everywhere!”
    She grinned impishly and for a moment looked like the child she really was.
    I had one last question. “Did you see Ernest after that night?”
    â€œNope.”
    â€œHe didn’t come in the coffee shop?”
    â€œNope.” She shrugged back into her trench coat. “Can I go now?”
    â€œDear, might I suggest that you not mention our little meeting to your Steve?”
    Way to go, Mother!
    â€œHah! And have to fork over my fifty? Damn right, I ain’t gonna mention it. Well, thanks for the Perrier even though it tastes like horse…humm, sorry. See ya.”
    Cassie opened the door and let Deep slipped dramatically out into the night, then came and sat back down on the edge of her bed. I could tell the whole encounter had really gotten to her. I also knew she would not discuss her feelings in front of Mother. I decided to rescue her.
    â€œLet’s push our beds together and have a midnight snack.”
    Mother jumped up.
    â€œGreat idea! Like a spend-the-night party. Lord, it’s been fifty years since my last one. Let me change and brush my teeth first.”
    She busied about with her purchases and took some of them to the bathroom.
    Cassie got up from the bed and knelt in front of me. She reached up and put her arms around my waist.
    â€œMom, that poor girl.”
    â€œI know, Cassie. I feel really sorry for her too, but there’s nothing we can do. Her fate was sealed the day she was born.”
    â€œThat’s what I mean. That could be me.” She looked up at me with tear-filled eyes.
    â€œIf you weren’t my mom and hadn’t taken care of me like you did, I could have ended up like that.”
    I could have lied and said, “Never,” or told her that she was too strong to follow that path, but the truth was I still believed it was luck. So I said, “And it could have been me as well, if it hadn’t been for your grandmother. We’ve both been lucky. We’ve both been very cherished and very loved, and you’ll pass that legacy on to your very lucky little girl.”
    â€œPish and tush! I’m going to be a wonderfully eccentric old spinster with one true and passionate love affair to remember.”
    â€œWhat? And do me out of being a grandmother? You wicked, wicked, child.”
    I kissed the top of her beautiful head and thanked God for our good fortune.
    â€œNow grab your ‘faux silk’ nightie and let’s heave and ho the beds. I bid on the middle!”
    We sat in a circle in the middle of the three beds and noshed on the huge supply of junk food Mother had bought.
    â€œWow, I haven’t had so much food coloring, sorbitol, and sodium nitrate since my last Easter egg hunt. Feels great! Gives you a little buzz? Do you feel it, Gran?”
    â€œUmmm, feels just like a sugar high. Pass the Cheetos please, Paisley. I’m really put out with you for eating all the salt and vinegar chips. I’ve never had any. I was looking forward to a taste test.”
    â€œIf I live through this debauchery, I’ll buy you some more