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.Birthdays, Christmases, and other celebratory occasions had a way of fading one into the other, while the trove of tiny treasures remained to be recalled with thankfulness, even if sometimes viewed through tears.Thank God for those whose lives had been interwoven with theirs – Sonny’s and hers – this summer.Her gratitude for this blessing had occasionally brought in its wake the thought that it might be a final benediction, but not this time.‘I love you, Sonny.’‘Love you, Mom.’ He turned his head before resuming what appeared to be a blank stare, but might mean he was peering into his own shifting memories, one overlapping the other at random, perhaps making it impossible to hold onto any treasured ones – even his wife Beatrice’s face – for more than a few seconds without some reinforcement.‘I’m going out shortly, but only for a few hours.Twyla has set aside enough shrimp Creole for the two of you.But she’ll make you anything you like.Pancakes, if that’s what you want.’‘Do they have meat in them?’‘They can, if that’s your wish.’‘How does Mrs Broom make them?’‘To your special instructions.’ She again kissed his cheek.‘I don’t know.’ He stirred restlessly.‘Did you say you’re going out?’‘Yes, dear.’‘Is he going with you?’‘Who, dear? Jumbo?’‘Father.’She stroked his hair, her sadness for Charles surfacing.He and Sonny could have had a close relationship with each other after the divorce if he’d put in the time and love earlier.Or perhaps made an attempt to mend fences later.Sonny had not been one otherwise to bear grudges.‘He won’t be here, dear.’‘Then that’s all right.She’ll read me a story.Twyla.I didn’t know that was her name.’ He got up and sat in one of the armchairs, closing his eyes, one hand moving up and down in response to the music he was hearing.Gwen went into the kitchen to see Twyla stowing the containers of shrimp Creole in a large wicker basket.She was never one to rush at the last minute.‘Is he OK about you going?’ The warm brown eyes met hers.‘I think so, but remember – don’t hesitate to call if you feel I’m needed back here.’‘You breathe easy and enjoy your outing – you surely don’t treat yourself often enough to going off and playing on your own some.’‘I could if I wanted to,’ Gwen smiled at her, ‘but being able to continue with the garden club and return to playing for the choral group is all the community activity I need.As for the personal stuff – being able to take walks again alone with Jumbo and go down to see Sarah, either with him or without, is bounty enough.And let’s not forget my going in for a physical at your urging.I still have an appointment coming up for a treadmill test, but my doctor seemed reasonably confident, from what I described, that the episodes I’ve been having are panic attacks, not my heart.For the main part my happiness is here in the house and garden, either when it’s just the three of us or when our visitors come, especially Oliver – for your sake and because he’s such a joy.’‘That’s my lamb baby.’ Twyla spread a red and white checked cloth over the wicker basket.As with Mrs Broom she was one for the extra homely touch.‘I surely can’t thank you enough, Gwen, for making that possible by coming up with that garden club plan as a way to get past the barricades, then working your way round to the piano lessons.He’s coming on real good, isn’t he?’‘His mother would be so pleased with his quick progress.I’m sure she and his father are cheering us on, along with Sarah and Evan, for trying to find out as much as we can about all that goes on at the Cully Mansion.Nellie Armitage told me it was Nathaniel’s father who imposed that grandiose name upon it, which should surprise no one who’s sat in that living room under the surveillance of his austere patriarchal portrait.’Twyla moved the basket to the edge of the counter near the garage door.‘That Nellie is some woman to have in your corner.She slipped word to me that to hopefully find out from Mrs Polly about what goes on at that house was the reason why she asked if Mrs Polly could come in once a week to clean.Said she’s never cared a hill of beans what her place looks like, but with Oliver being best friends with her Brian she’s gotten real fond of him and has been fretting about how things are going with him.Even more so when I’d told her Oliver doesn’t feel he can talk to me about problems for fear I’d worry myself sick, especially since I couldn’t bring it up to Frank in his continuing failing state.’‘What a difficult position for him and you.’‘It sure is a comfort now he has Sarah and Evan to turn to.’‘Talk about turning up at the right moment.’ Gwen let Jumbo out to the fenced area in the back.She had wondered in recent days if Twyla might be a little wistful as well as thankful at this turn of events.Either this thought showed on her face, or the woman she had come to admire as well as like profoundly was a mind reader.‘Don’t you go worrying that I’m feeling a little displaced, Gwen [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]