Chapter 37
“You are going where?” That was Cecelia’s response when she’d told her.
Edwina had already talked to her landlord, and not surprisingly, he had another renter lined up. There was a waiting list, it seemed. And with no job commitment to sever, she was pretty much free to do as she liked.
Her father had been called and shocked into silence when she’d told him. He’d always known her to seek his advice before making any big decision. But he had been supportive. “I wish your mother and I would have traveled more. We were too connected to our duties here,” he said quietly.
“I know, Father. But you and Mom... you taught me well. And I do want to live. I don’t want life to pass me by while I stand here and watch. I’m okay with my decision.”
“That’s all that matters. You say you’ll be near Edinburgh?”
“Yes. Dad, you and can come and visit.” She hadn’t called him Dad since she was little.
“Then I will come.” His voice sounded sure.
“Good, I will be waiting for you.” Her voice quivered.
“Edwina... your mother would be proud.”
“I know. I have to go, but I’ll be in touch. I leave September 15. Will you be at the airport?”
“I’ll be there.”
“Thanks.” Edwina began to pack. Her father approved. That was all that mattered. Those few minutes on the phone confirmed what she always knew. He loved her for who she was. It was a great gift. Perhaps—hopefully—she would be able to love the Scot’s child the same way.
There were too many things to take. She needed closure. A breaking of the past for the new and her sensible nature decided that her one allowance would be books. Because, she reasoned, Paige would need to read the classics.
It was easy to pack her clothes—she had few enough of them. Her black dress she left hanging in the closet. It would lie on the very top to keep it from wrinkling.
Trinkets, bedding and dishes were donated to her friend at the Goodwill store. She’d saved many a dollar at that store. It was time to give back. The good-bye had been tearful, yet encouraging. Edwina could see the hope in her friend’s eyes.
“Maybe some day I’ll have an adventure in my life, too.”
Edwina had hugged her and gone walking down the street, tears falling.
The apartment was cleaned top to bottom on the last day. The Volkswagen was packed. She had only her suitcase and books to worry about.
The Scot had called after he arrived home. “Will ye be bringing ye’re books, lass?” How did he know she had books? “Yes.”
“Leave them behind. I will pay to ship them.”
She started to argue, but remembered he was her employer. She’d pay him back at some point in the future.
“Yes, sir.”
“Mr. Dunnegin or Alexander,” he reminded her.
“Oh yes.”
She heard his chuckle.
“My daughter’s full name is Paige Alexandria Gabrielle
Dunnegin, and she looks just like her mother.” Edwina smiled. “Paige Alexandria Gabrielle Dunnegin,” she repeated, the words rolling on her tongue.
“Yes, and well said. Ye’ve picked up the Scot brogue already.”
“It seems I have,” she admitted.
“We’ll be hearing from you then, lass?”
“Yes.”
“Aye, twill be good when you are here.” He was gone.
Edwina was getting used to the fact that when a Scot was done talking, he was done talking. Saturday morning came too quickly. She said her good-byes to the landlord who had come up to inspect the apartment. The new renter had already dropped off a few belongings that now sat in the landlord’s garage. She was to spend today and Sunday with Cecelia and fly out on Monday morning at 6:38 a.m. She pulled the last dress from the closet and packed it on top, just as she planned, then closed her case and snapped it shut. With one last look around the empty apartment, she turned and exited the door and descended the outside steps for the last time. Everyone was at work by now. She stood by the big oak and gave it a pat and stuffed the suitcase in the Volkswagen. She’d sold her car to Spencer. He wanted to get a new paint job and loved the fact that the upholstery on the seats was still like new. Edwina had kept heavy bath towels on the seats, just like her father.
The books had been hauled downstairs and boxed and were even now in the landlord’s garage awaiting the delivery service truck.
She had walked the park last evening, setting to memory the St. Joseph River, the way it looked when the sun sparkled on the moving waters. Life was a little like that—always moving, no matter what the weather, no matter what went on in the human race, the river always kept moving.
A thought had struck her just as she was about to leave. She had knocked at the door of the gray duplex and was greeted by an older woman.
“Are you April’s grandmother?”
“I am.” The woman looked concerned.
“Oh, nothing’s wrong, I met April a couple of weeks ago at the park,” she gestured behind her, “and we talked. I was just wondering how she is doing?”
“Are you the lady who went to Northside School?”
“Yes, I am.”
“The child will not stop talking about you. Would you like to come in for tea?”
“I’m so sorry, but I can’t. I’m leaving this morning.”
Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. April would have loved to see you.”
“May I leave her a note?” Edwina thought quickly, but her hands were empty. “Please come in. Surely you have a few minutes. I have paper right here.” Edwina stepped inside the house. It was older, but neat inside.
“What smells so wonderful?”
“A ham cooking. We’re having a birthday dinner for my son. He’s thirty-two today.”
“Well, he is in for a treat, that’s for sure.” She smiled and took the paper.
“Here, sit at the table while I peel the potatoes.”
Edwina drew a little picture. Her drawing techniques were not the best, but she drew a little girl’s face and made it very happy, then printed April’s name with big letters and made an arrow pointing to the picture. She signed it, Edwina, April’s friend, and dated it.
Within minutes she’d said good-bye to the grandmother, realizing she hadn’t even asked her name, then walked home. Some things did matter. A lot. She sensed what she was about to do would matter. A lot.