“I don’t understand. Didn’t you originally tell me you had to sell the house because—”
“Yes, I did tell you that,” Ida said begrudgingly. “And back then I thought it was true. I didn’t find out about the second policy until later on; then I figured maybe it was best not to mention it.”
“Why would you not mention—” Suzanna gave a horrified gasp, then pulled to the side of the road and forced Ida to face her. “Did you honestly think I’d try to swindle you out of your money?”
“Lord God, no, Darla Jean! Why, I’d never in a hundred million years think that!” Ida’s voice softened as she stretched her arm across the seat and took Suzanna’s hand in hers. “I knew right off you had a kind heart like your granddaddy. Remember the first night, how you told me you were headed to New Jersey and had to move on?”
With her eyes fixed on Ida’s face, Suzanna gave a nod.
“Well, I didn’t want you to go. Before you came I was just sitting here waiting to die, and Scout was the same way. All he’d do was lie down beside Bill’s chair and sleep, but that night he ran all over the place with Annie chasing after him. I heard the way her laughter seemed to spread happiness all over the house and figured it was a sure sign that I was to keep you here.
“Yes, I told you I was having a hard time of it and had to sell the house, but I did it because I knew you’d stay to help me out. Later on, when I found out about that other insurance policy, I was afraid if you knew I didn’t need you, you’d start thinking about New Jersey again.”
“I was only going to New Jersey because I had nowhere else to go,” Suzanna said softly. “Honestly, I was just looking for a way to give Annie a better life.”
She switched the engine off then reached across and pulled Ida into her arms. For several moments they sat silently; she felt Ida’s heartbeat against hers, and it brought back memories of those last days when her mama had held her in much the same way. Suzanna’s eyes filled with tears as she remembered her mama’s words.
After I’m gone, if God gives you a new mama to love, treasure the gift. Love her the same as you love me, because love given will bring love in return.
Suzanna sniffed back the sob rising in her throat. “That first night we stayed here, I believed Annie and I would have to go through this life alone. We had nothing. No family, no money, and no future.” A tear broke free and rolled down her cheek. “I never dreamed that we’d find someone who would become as dear to us as you are.”
“I knew right away,” Ida said and squeezed Suzanna’s hand.
They talked for several minutes and when Ida said they should vow to never again hide the truth from one another, Suzanna almost choked on the lump in her throat. As she pulled back onto the road, she said a silent prayer asking the Almighty to keep the truth of her identity a secret.
That morning they went from shop to shop, finding lace-collared dresses for Annie, a new hat for Homer Portnick, a leather portfolio for Gregg, bath salts for Ginger, and a My First Christmas shirt for little Lizzie. When they finished going through the Emporium, they stashed their packages in the car and headed for the toy store.
Picking out the shiny new bicycle was easy, but deciding on a doll proved to be a challenge. The sales clerk insisted that most little girls now wanted a Barbie, but Suzanna and Ida both had their doubts.
Ida studied the doll and frowned. “Isn’t Barbie a bit grown up for a seven-year-old?”
“Not at all,” the clerk assured them. “Little girls like to imagine themselves grown up, and having a Barbie doll makes them feel they are.”
Remembering her own childhood, Suzanna was about to argue the point and say that wasn’t necessarily a good thing when the clerk stepped away to help a woman in search of a Hot Wheels Camaro. As soon as he disappeared down the aisle, she turned to Ida. “I’m thinking we ought to look for a different doll, a baby or maybe a little girl. I don’t like the thought of Annie growing up too fast.”
“Neither do I.”
They moved down the aisle looking at any number of dolls: little girls with porcelain faces, real hair, eyes that closed, and babies that wet or cried. In the end they selected a Chatty Cathy doll with hair as golden as Annie’s and eyes that were almost as blue. When Ida tugged the cord and the doll said, “I love you,” Suzanna was sold.
Before they left the store, Ida found an Easy Bake Oven, two books, and a pair of roller skates, all of which she insisted Annie needed to have. As she carted the Easy Bake Oven to the check-out counter, she gave a grin and said, “How can I resist buying this for her when I know how much she enjoys baking cookies?”
Once they’d loaded the bicycle and toys into the car, Suzanna could no longer see out the back window. She glanced at her watch: 2:30. Annie would be home at 3 o’clock.
“I’m afraid our lunch at Lady Anne’s will have to wait,” she said and gave an apologetic shrug. “We spent too much time in the toy store.”
Ida chuckled. “Maybe so, but it was the most fun I’ve had in ages.”
——————
THAT EVENING WHEN IDA AND Annie settled in front of the television, Suzanna and Gregg went for a walk. As they strolled down Cedar Street toward Mulberry where the coffee shop was, she told him about her day.
“I
