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“Hello?” Allison’s voice, so like Leah’s, as well as her face, came on the iPad’s screen. “Oh, hi, everybody.” She appeared somewhat disheveled and pale.
“Hey there. Everything okay?” Leah asked.
“Oh, yes. Just working on some paperwork for the house. How are you all?”
Momma grabbed the iPad and pulled it close. “We’re having a planning meeting for our vow renewal. Have you found a dress yet?”
Allison’s face said it all. She hadn’t even looked. “Gosh, I’m sorry. I haven’t had much time to think about it.”
I tried to throw her a lifeline. “I’ll send some links over for some sites I’ve been going through.” I could see a spark of laughter in her eyes, even through the iPad.
“Thanks, Carly.”
“You bet.”
“Honey, you’d better find a dress soon, in case it needs to be altered. I’m happy to pay for it if you’re short right now.” Momma said the cringy words before we could stop her.
Allison, bless her, didn’t cringe. “I’m good. I’ll find something. Purple, right?”
“Lavender.” Leah and I both burst out laughing because we corrected her at the same time.
“Oh. Lavender. Got it.” Allison laughed, and when she did, she looked so much like Leah, it nearly took my breath away.
“Is everything all right, Allison?” Momma asked. “You know we miss you and hope you’re doing well.”
“Um, I’m okay. It’s been hard trying to sort through my mother’s things and have the house on the market. And I’ve got a boyfriend; Hank’s his name. But I’m not sure how that’s going right now, so, I’d have to say that it’s a strange time. But I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in June.”
“Well, okay. Please tell us if you need anything. We’re here for you, you know.”
Nana came over to where we were crowded around the iPad. “Darlin,’ it’s your nana. I’m working on getting your trust set up, okay? So, if you need anything in the meantime, you call or text me anytime.”
Allison’s face crumpled then, and she burst into tears. “Oh, Nana, I can’t thank you enough. All of you. I have to go now.” The call disconnected, leaving us staring at each other.
“I hope she’s all right like she says.” Momma’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m not getting a good feeling about this.”
“Maybe she was a little overwhelmed. We can be a lot for some people when we’re all together. She might have been embarrassed with all the money talk.” Money was something we discussed in a practical way. As in:Do you have enough? Do you need some? Make smart decisions with your money. You’ll get your trust when you turn twenty-five.
I figured that it was probably easier for people who didn’t have real money worries to discuss money than those who struggled more. But we always shared our benefits within the community. It was part of privilege. We volunteered at every opportunity as a family, and we gave our time and our efforts as individuals to help others without anyone else knowing about it. It was never enough, but Nana always made sure we tried for it to be enough.
I hated that Allison was put on the spot like that with all of us watching. She didn’t know how our family shared information so freely and I’m sure she was mortified. I would text her later and try to smooth it over.
Leah spoke up then. “Sounds like she’s got a lot going on right now dealing with her mother’s estate. And who knows what’s going on with that boyfriend of hers. Doesn’t sound like things are going very well there. Let’s give her some space. Oh, and maybe not ambush her like that again.” Leah’s statement was her admission of the idea being a bad one.
“It sounded like a fine idea when you came out with it.” I didn’t want her to feel bad about it. “I’m sure she appreciated being included.”
“Of course she did, darlin’.” Nana patted Leah’s shoulder.
“Who knew one of my girls could be so sensitive?” Momma shrugged.
We were all sensitive people, but where Momma was concerned, we’d grown elephant skin, so she didn’t see us that way.
*
Tanner
Tanner received anemail from Judge Keller’s office first thing Wednesday morning that stated that Tanner must defend any claims made by Carson on their court date. The hearing was set ten days from today, which didn’t give them much time to have Carson drop the suit. But Tanner assumed that his father feared the retribution should Tanner bring this before the state bar association.
If Carson called his bluff and drew out the lawsuit, even though the evidence was on Tanner’s side, it meant time and money that Tanner didn’t have to spend, of which Carson was aware.
